Method, system, and apparatus for the thermal storage of energy generated by multiple nuclear reactor systems

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and apparatus for the thermal storage of energy generated by multiple nuclear reactor systems including diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting at least one additional selected portion of energy from a portion of at least one additional nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, and supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the auxiliary thermal reservoir to an energy conversion system of a nuclear reactor of the plurality of nuclear reactors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of theearliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listedapplication(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patent applicationsor claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patentapplications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Related Application(s)).

Related Applications:

-   -   For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the        present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of United        States patent application entitled METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS        FOR THE THERMAL STORAGE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR GENERATED ENERGY,        naming RODERICK A. HYDE, MURIEL Y. ISHIKAWA, CLARENCE T.        TEGREENE, JOSHUA C. WALTER, LOWELL L. WOOD, JR., AND        VICTORIA Y. H. WOOD as inventors, filed Feb. 18, 2010,        application Ser. No. 12/660,025, which is currently co-pending,        or is an application of which a currently co-pending application        is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.    -   For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the        present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of United        States patent application entitled METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS        FOR THE THERMAL STORAGE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR GENERATED ENERGY,        naming RODERICK A. HYDE, MURIEL Y. ISHIKAWA, CLARENCE T.        TEGREENE, JOSHUA C. WALTER, LOWELL L. WOOD, JR., AND        VICTORIA Y. H. WOOD as inventors, filed Feb. 19, 2010,        application Ser. No. 12/660,157, which is currently co-pending,        or is an application of which a currently co-pending application        is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to theeffect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicantsreference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is acontinuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit ofPrior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, availableat http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm.The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has providedabove a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority isbeing claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that thestatute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does notrequire either a serial number or any characterization, such as“continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S.patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicantunderstands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entryrequirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present applicationas a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above,but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construedin any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether ornot the present application contains any new matter in addition to thematter of its parent application(s).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the thermal storage andsubsequent utilization of nuclear reactor generated energy.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to diverting a firstselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting at least one additional selectedportion of energy from a portion of at least one additional nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems to the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir, and supplying at least a portionof thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir toat least one energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. In addition to theforegoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are notlimited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting theherein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming canbe virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to means fordiverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir, means for diverting at least oneadditional selected portion of energy from a portion of at least oneadditional nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, and means forsupplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

In one aspect, an apparatus includes but is not limited to a firstenergy transfer system configured to divert a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,at least one additional energy transfer system configured to divert atleast one additional selected portion of energy from a portion of atleast one additional nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, and aheat supply system configured to supply at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. In addition to the foregoing,other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and textforming a part of the present disclosure.

In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system and/orprogram product aspects are set forth and described in the teachingssuch as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawingsof the present disclosure.

The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications,generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/orother subject matter described herein will become apparent in theteachings set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a system for the thermal storage ofenergy generated by multiple nuclear reactor systems;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating the types of nuclear reactors andenergy conversion systems suitable to operate in a nuclear reactorsystem suitable of the multiple nuclear reactor system;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the types of nuclear reactorcoolants suitable for use when providing nuclear reactor generatedenergy to an auxiliary thermal reservoir;

FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating the types of heat storagematerials suitable for the thermal storage of energy in an auxiliarythermal reservoir;

FIG. 4B is a flow diagram illustrating the types of reservoircontainment systems suitable for containing the various heat storagematerials of the auxiliary thermal reservoir;

FIG. 4C is a flow diagram illustrating the thermodynamic changes to theheat storage material suitable for thermal energy storage;

FIG. 4D is a flow diagram illustrating the types of reservoir monitoringsystems suitable for monitoring the auxiliary thermal reservoir;

FIG. 5A is a flow diagram illustrating the types of energy transfersystems suitable for transferring energy from a nuclear reactor systemto an auxiliary thermal reservoir;

FIG. 5B is a schematic illustrating the thermal coupling of theauxiliary thermal reservoir to a heat source of the nuclear reactorsystem via a heat transfer system;

FIG. 5C is a schematic illustrating the thermal coupling of theauxiliary thermal reservoir system to the primary coolant system of thenuclear reactor system heat transfer;

FIG. 5D is a schematic illustrating the thermal coupling of theauxiliary thermal reservoir to the primary coolant system and thesecondary coolant system of the nuclear reactor system;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the types of thermal transfercomponents utilized in the heat supply system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating the supplementing of the auxiliarythermal reservoir with additional energy from an additional energysource;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flow diagrams illustrating the types of conditionsthe energy transfer system is responsive to when initiating diversion ofenergy from the nuclear reactor system to the auxiliary thermalreservoir;

FIG. 8C is a flow diagram illustrating the diversion of excess nuclearreactor system energy from the nuclear reactor system to the auxiliarythermal reservoir;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are flow diagrams illustrating the types ofconditions the heat supply system is responsive to when initiatingtransfer of the thermal energy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoirto the energy conversion system of a nuclear reactor system;

FIG. 9D is a flow diagram illustrating the supplying of a specifiedportion of the energy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir to anenergy conversion system;

FIG. 10 is a high-level flowchart of a method for the thermal storage ofenergy generated by multiple nuclear reactors in an auxiliary thermalreservoir;

FIGS. 11 through 97 are high-level flowcharts depicting alternateimplementations of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 100 for storing and subsequentlyutilizing energy generated by a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102is described in accordance with the present disclosure. A first energytransfer system 104 may divert energy (e.g., thermal energy orelectrical energy) from a portion (e.g., first nuclear reactor 108 orfirst energy conversion system 110) of a first nuclear reactor system106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to one or more heatstorage materials 111 of one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112,and a second energy transfer system 104 may divert energy from a portion(e.g., second nuclear reactor 108 or second energy conversion system108) of a second nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 to the one or more heat storage materials 111 of theone or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. Further, an additionalenergy transfer system, up to and including an Nth energy transfersystem 104, may divert energy from a portion (e.g., Nth nuclear reactor108 or Nth energy conversion system 110) of an Nth nuclear reactorsystem 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the one ormore heat storage materials 111 of the one or more auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112. Then, one or more heat supply systems 114 (e.g., firstheat supply system 114, second heat supply system, or Nth heat supplysystem 114) may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the oneor more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more energyconversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. For instance, the energyconversion system 110 may include, but is not limited to, a first energyconversion system 110 associated with the first nuclear reactor system106, a second energy conversion system 110 associated with the secondnuclear reactor system 106, or an Nth energy conversion system 110associated with the Nth nuclear reactor system 106.

It is further contemplated that the labeling of the various nuclearreactor systems 106 as the first nuclear reactor system 106, the secondnuclear reactor system 106, the third nuclear reactor system 106, andthe Nth nuclear reactor system 106 is for illustrative purposes only. Assuch, the first nuclear reactor system 106, the second nuclear reactorsystem 106, the third nuclear reactor system 106 and the Nth nuclearreactor system 106 are substantially interchangeable for the purposesdescribed within the present disclosure. Similarly, it is contemplatedthat the labeling of the various energy conversion systems 110 as thefirst energy conversion system 110, the second energy conversion system110, and the Nth energy conversion system 110 is for illustrativepurposes only and, therefore, the first energy conversion system 110,the second energy conversion system 110, and the Nth energy conversionsystem 110 are substantially interchangeable for the purposes describedin the present disclosure. Additionally, it is contemplated that thelabeling of the various heat supply systems 114 as the first heat supplysystem 114, the second heat supply system 114, and the Nth heat supplysystem 114 is for illustrative purposes only and, therefore, the firstheat supply system 114, the second heat supply system 114, and the Nthheat supply system 114 are substantially interchangeable for thepurposes described in the present disclosure. It is further contemplatedthat the labeling of the various energy transfer systems 104 as thefirst energy transfer system 104, the second energy transfer system 104,and the Nth energy transfer system 104 is for illustrative purposes andtherefore the first energy transfer system 104, the second energytransfer system 104, and the Nth energy transfer system 104 aresubstantially interchangeable for the purposes described in the presentdisclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one or more of the nuclear reactors 108 (i.e.,the first nuclear reactor, the second nuclear reactor, or the Nthnuclear reactor) of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106(i.e., first nuclear reactor system, second nuclear reactor system, orNth nuclear reactor system) of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 may include, but are not limited to, one or more thermal spectrumnuclear reactors 202, one or more fast spectrum nuclear reactors 204,one or more multi-spectrum nuclear reactors 206, one or more breedernuclear reactors 208, or one or more traveling wave nuclear reactors210. For example, the energy produced by a thermal spectrum nuclearreactor 202 of a nuclear reactor system 106 may be diverted from thethermal spectrum nuclear reactor 202 to one or more auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112 using an energy transfer system 104. Then, one or moreheat supply systems 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energystored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one ormore energy conversion systems 110 (e.g., the first energy conversionsystem, the second energy conversion system, or the Nth energyconversion system) of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

By way of further example, the energy produced by a traveling wavenuclear reactor 210 of a nuclear reactor system 106 may be diverted fromthe traveling wave nuclear reactor 210 to one or more auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112 using an energy transfer system 104. Then, one or moreheat supply systems 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energystored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one ormore energy conversion systems 110 of the nuclear reactor systems 106.Further, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that thefirst nuclear reactor 108, the second nuclear reactor 108, and the Nthnuclear reactor 108 need not consist of the same type of nuclearreactor. For instance, the first nuclear reactor 108 may include atraveling wave nuclear reactor 210, the second nuclear reactor 108 mayinclude a breeder nuclear reactor 208, and the Nth nuclear reactor 108may include a thermal spectrum nuclear reactor 202.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy conversion systems 110 ofthe one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactors 102 may include, but are not limited to, one or more primaryenergy conversion systems 212, one or more auxiliary energy conversionsystems 214, or one or more emergency energy conversion systems 216. Forexample, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the heat storage material 111 of the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 to one or more primary energy conversion systems 212 ofthe one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., the first nuclearreactor system, the second nuclear reactor system or the Nth nuclearreactor system) of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Forinstance, the primary energy conversion system 212 may include a turbine218 coupled to an electric generator used to supply electrical power tothe primary load 220 (e.g., electrical power grid) of one or morenuclear reactor systems 106. By way of an additional example, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inthe heat storage material 111 of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 toone or more auxiliary energy conversion systems 214 of one or morenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102. For instance, the auxiliary energy conversion system 214 mayinclude an energy conversion system that supplements or replaces theoutput of the primary energy conversion system 212. For example, theauxiliary energy conversion system 214 may include a turbine 218 coupledto an electric generator used to provide supplemental or backup electricpower to the primary load 220 of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. By way of a furtherexample, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the heat storage material 111 of the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 to one or more emergency energy conversion systems 216 ofone or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102. For instance, the emergency energy conversionsystem may include a turbine 218 coupled to an electric generator usedto supply electric power to an operation system 222 (e.g., monitoringsystem, safety system, control system, coolant system or securitysystem) of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., first nuclearreactor, second nuclear reactor, or Nth nuclear reactor) of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the emergency energy conversion system 216may be configured to operate at temperatures lower than the operationaltemperature of the primary energy conversion system 212, allowing theemergency energy conversion system 216 to supply electrical energy tovarious operation systems 222 of one or more nuclear reactors 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactors 102 during emergency situations when gridpower is unavailable. Further, it will be recognized by those skilled inthe art that the first energy conversion system 110, the second energyconversion system 110, and the Nth energy conversion system need notconsist of the same type of energy conversion system. For instance, thefirst energy conversion system 110 may include a primary energyconversion system 212, the second energy conversion system 110 mayinclude an auxiliary energy conversion system 214, and the Nth energyconversion system 110 may include an emergency energy conversion system216.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy conversion systems 110 mayinclude, but are not limited to, one or more turbines 218 of the one ormore nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102. For example, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portionof the thermal energy stored in the heat storage material 111 of theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to one or more turbines 218 of one ormore nuclear reactors 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactors 102. Byway of further example, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion ofthe thermal energy stored in the heat storage material 111 of theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to a working fluid 224 of one or moreturbines 218 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. For instance, the heat supplysystem 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the heatstorage material 111 of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to apressurized steam working fluid 224 of one or more turbines 218 of theone or more nuclear reactor systems 106. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that the thermal energy supplied from the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112, via the one or more heat supply systems 114, tothe working fluid 224 of one or more turbines 218 of the one or morenuclear reactor systems 106 may be used to augment the thermal energysupplied to the working fluid 224 of the one or more turbines 218 fromthe one or more nuclear reactors 108 of the one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy conversion systems 110 ofthe one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 may include, but are not limited to, one or moretopping cycles 226, one or more bottoming cycles 228, or one or more lowgrade heat dumps 230. For example, a heat supply system 114 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in the heat storage material 111 ofthe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to one or more topping cycles 226 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106. By way of anotherexample, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the heat storage material 111 of the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 to one or more bottoming cycles 228 of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems 106. By way of further example, a heat supplysystem 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the heatstorage material 111 of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to one ormore low grade heat dumps of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems106. For instance, the low grade heat dump may include a portion of thesurrounding environment (e.g., surrounding soil or atmosphere).

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the low gradeenvironmental heat dump serves as the ultimate heat sink, allowing forthe effective removal of reactor core decay heat in the event theprimary heat removal system(s) fail. In this context, the auxiliarythermal reservoir may serve as a thermal capacitor, residing upstream ofthe more thermally resistive low grade heat dump, such as thesurrounding soil or surrounding atmosphere. As the reactor decay heatfalls of exponentially, the auxiliary thermal reservoir, acting as athermal capacitor, may act to absorb the high initial heat load, whilethe heat is dissipated at a lower rate to the low grade environmentalheat dump.

Further, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that thefirst energy conversion system 110, the second energy conversion system110, and the Nth energy conversion system 110 need not consist of thesame type of energy conversion system. For instance, the first energyconversion system 110 may include a topping cycle 226 of the firstnuclear reactor system 106, the second energy conversion system 110 mayinclude a bottoming cycle 228 of the second nuclear reactor system 106,and the Nth energy conversion system 110 may include a low grade heatdump 230 of the Nth nuclear reactor system 106.

In another aspect, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in the heat storage material 111 of the auxiliaryreservoir 112 to one or more boiling loops 232 of the one or morenuclear reactor systems 106, wherein the one or more boiling loops 232of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 are in thermalcommunication with one or more energy conversion systems 110 of the oneor more nuclear reactor systems 106. For example, a heat supply system114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the heatstorage material 111 of an auxiliary reservoir 112 to a boiling loop 232in thermal communication with a turbine 218 of one or more nuclearreactor systems 106. By way of further example, the boiling loop 232 maybe in thermal communication with one or more topping cycles 226, one ormore bottoming cycle 228 or one or more low grade heat dumps 230 of theone or more nuclear reactor systems 106. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that the thermal energy supplied to the boiling loop232 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 from the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 may be used to augment the thermalenergy supplied to the one or more boiling loops 232 from the one ormore nuclear reactors 108 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 3, one or more of the nuclear reactors 108 of theone or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 may include a nuclear reactor having a liquidcoolant 302. For example, the liquid coolant 302 of one or more of thenuclear reactors 108 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid metalsalt coolant 304 (e.g., lithium fluoride, beryllium fluoride or otherfluoride salts), a liquid metal coolant 306 (e.g., sodium, lead, or leadbismuth), a liquid organic coolant 308 (e.g., diphenyl with diphenyloxide), or a liquid water coolant 310. For instance, an energy transfersystem 104 may divert energy from a portion of a liquid sodium coolednuclear reactor of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Inanother instance, the energy transfer system 104 may divert energy froma portion of a liquid water cooled nuclear reactor 220 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. In an additional instance, the energytransfer system 104 may divert energy from a portion of a lithiumfluoride cooled nuclear reactor of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of the nuclear reactor systems to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion ofthe thermal energy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to oneor more energy conversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the nuclear reactors 108 of the one ormore nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 may include one or more nuclear reactors having apressurized gas coolant 312. For example, the pressurized gas coolant222 may include, but is not limited to, pressurized helium gas orpressurized carbon dioxide gas. For instance, the energy transfer system104 may divert energy from a portion of a pressurized helium coolednuclear reactor 312 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then,a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energystored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to one or more energyconversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the nuclear reactors 108 of the one ormore nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 may include one or more nuclear reactors having a mixedphase coolant 314. For example, the mixed phase coolant 314 may include,but is not limited to, a gas-liquid mixed phase material (e.g., steamwater-liquid water). For instance, the energy transfer system 104 maydivert energy from a portion of a steam water-liquid water coolednuclear reactor 314 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactors 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inthe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to one or more energy conversionsystems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, one or more energy transfer systems 104 maydivert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a liquid heat storagematerial 402 of one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. Forexample, the liquid heat storage material 402 may include, but is notlimited to, an organic liquid 404 (e.g., diphenyl with diphenyl oxide),a liquid metal salt 406 (e.g., lithium fluoride, beryllium fluoride orother fluoride salts), a liquid metal 408 (e.g., sodium, lead, or leadbismuth), or liquid water 410. For instance, one or more energy transfersystems 104 may divert energy from a portion of one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to amass of liquid sodium of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. In anotherinstance, one or more energy transfer systems 104 may divert energy froma portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to a mass of liquid water 410 of an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in the liquid heat storage material402 of the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or moreenergy conversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another embodiment, one or more energy transfer systems 104 maydivert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a pressurized gasheat storage material 412 of one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs112. For example, the pressurized gas material 412 suitable for heatstorage may include, but is not limited to, pressurized helium gas orpressurized carbon dioxide gas. For instance, one or more energytransfer systems 104 may divert energy from a portion of one or morenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to a mass of pressurized helium of an auxiliary thermal reservoir112. Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the pressurized gas material 412 of the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more energy conversionsystems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another embodiment, one or more energy transfer systems 104 maydivert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a solid heat storagematerial 414 of one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. In oneaspect, the solid heat storage material 414 may include a continuoussolid material forming a solid object 416. For example, the solid object416 suitable for heat storage may include, but is not limited to, athree dimensional monolithic object (e.g., a brick), a three dimensionalporous object (e.g., a brick containing pores suitable for fluid flow),a three dimensional channeled object (e.g. a brick containing channelssuitable for fluid flow), or a three dimensional engineered object(e.g., an object containing an engineered honeycomb pattern forincreased heat transfer). For instance, one or more energy transfersystems 104 may divert energy from a portion of one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 toone or more solid monolithic objects, such as a brick, a rod, or a sheetof material. In another instance, one or more energy transfer systems104 may divert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a solidengineered object, such as an object constructed of a high heat capacityhoneycomb structured material. Further, the solid object 416 mayinclude, but is not limited to, a ceramic solid object, such as acarbide ceramic (e.g., titanium carbide or silicon carbide) or a borideceramic, a metal solid (e.g., iron or steel) object, or anenvironmentally present solid (e.g., rock or stone) object. For example,one or more energy transfer systems 104 may divert energy from a portionof one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 to a ceramic solid object. By way of furtherexample, one or more energy transfer systems 104 may divert energy froma portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to an environmentally preexisting rock orstone structure located in close proximity to one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, the solid heat storage material 414 may include aparticulate solid material 418. For example, the particulate solidmaterial 418 may include, but is not limited to, a granular material(e.g. sand) or a powder material. For instance, one or more energytransfer systems 104 may divert energy from a portion of one or morenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to a mass of sand located in close proximity to one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.Further, one or more energy transfer systems 104 may divert energy froma portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of sand via heat pipes, whereinone portion of the heat pipes is in thermal communication with a portionof one or more nuclear reactors 108 of one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 and a second portion of the heat pipes is embedded in avolume of sand located in close proximity to one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that thevolume of the sand, and like solid materials, need not be constrained bythe volume of a reservoir containment system 122, in that uncontainedsand, stone, and like heat trapping materials surrounding one or morenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 may serve as a suitable heat storage material 111. Then, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inthe solid heat storage material 414 of the one or more auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112 to one or more energy conversion systems 110 of the oneor more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102.

In another embodiment, one or more energy transfer systems 104 maydivert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mixed phase heatstorage material 420 of one or more auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Forexample, the mixed phase material 420 suitable for heat storage mayinclude, but is not limited to a gas-liquid mixed phase material (e.g.,steam water-liquid water) or a liquid-solid mixed phase material (e.g.liquid sodium-solid sodium). For instance, one or more energy transfersystems 104 may divert energy from a portion of one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to amass of steam water-liquid water. Then, a heat supply system 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the mixed phase heatstorage material 420 of the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112to one or more energy conversion systems 110 of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

In another embodiment, one or more energy transfer systems 104 maydivert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of a heatstorage material having a phase transition within the operatingtemperature 422 of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. For example, anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 having a heat storage material 116 witha phase transition at approximately 100° C. may continuously operate attemperatures above and below the phase transition at 100° C. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that this allows the heat supplysystem 114 to supply thermal energy from the auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to one or more energy conversion systems 110 of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 at reservoir temperatures above, below and at the phase transitiontemperature of the heat storage material 111. For instance, given thatsodium has an approximate melting temperature of 97.7° C., a sodiumbased auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may operate in the liquid phase attemperatures above 97.7° C. and in the solid phase at temperatures below97.7° C. Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in the heat storage material 111 having a phasetransition within the operating temperature 422 of the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 to one or more energy conversion systems 110 of one ormore the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, one or more energy transfer systems 104 maydivert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of a heatstorage material 111 contained in a reservoir containment system 424.For example, the reservoir containment system 424 may include, but isnot limited to, an external vessel 426 or an external pool 432. By wayof further example, the external vessel 426 may include, but is notlimited to an external liquid vessel 428 or an external high pressuregas vessel 430. For instance, the one or more energy transfer systems104 may divert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass ofliquid metal 408 (e.g. liquid sodium) contained in an external liquidvessel 428. In another instance, the one or more energy transfer systems104 may divert energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass ofpressurized gas 412 (e.g. pressurized helium) contained in an externalhigh pressure vessel 430. By way of further example, the external pool432 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid pool 434. For instance,the one or more energy transfer systems 104 may divert energy from aportion of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of liquid metal 408 (e.g. liquidsodium) contained in an external liquid pool 434. Then, a heat supplysystem 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the heatstorage material 111 contained in the reservoir containment system 424to one or more energy conversion systems 110 of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

Referring now to FIG. 4C, the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs112 may store the energy diverted from the one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 in the formof a temperature change 436 in the heat storage material 111 of the oneor more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. For example, the energydiverted from the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 to the heatstorage material 111 of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may cause thetemperature of the heat storage material 111 to increase. For instance,the energy diverted from the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 tothe heat storage material 111 of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 maycause the temperature of the heat storage material 111, such as a liquidmetal 408 (e.g., liquid sodium), to increase from an initial temperatureof approximately 100° C. to a temperature of approximately 500° C. Then,a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energystored in the heat storage material 111 as a temperature increase 436 toone or more energy conversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 maystore the energy diverted from the one or more nuclear reactor systems106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 in the form of aphase change 438 in the heat storage material 111 of the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. For example, the phase change 438 inthe heat storage material 111 may include a solid-liquid phase change440 or a liquid-gas phase change 442. For instance, the energy divertedfrom the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 to a solid heat storagematerial 414 of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may be stored in theheat storage material 111 by melting the heat storage material 111. Forexample, the energy diverted from the one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 to a mass of solid sodium may liquefy the mass of sodium viaa melting transition at approximately 97.7° C., thus storing a portionof the diverted energy in the liquid phase of the mass of sodium. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the energy requiredto transform the heat storage material 111 from one phase (e.g. solid)to a new phase (e.g., liquid) is the heat of transformation (i.e., the“latent heat”). Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion ofthe heat of transformation stored as thermal energy in the heat storagematerial 111 to one or more energy conversion systems 110 of the one ormore nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactors102.

Referring now to FIG. 4D, the operational status of the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 may be monitored using one or more reservoirmonitoring systems 444. For example, the reservoir monitoring system 444may include a temperature monitoring system 446, a pressure monitoringsystem 448, a system configured to determine the amount of energy storedin the thermal reservoir 450 or a system configured to determine theamount of available energy capacity of the thermal reservoir 452. Forinstance, a system configured to determine the amount of energy storedin the thermal reservoir 450 may include thermal and pressure monitoringdevices configured to probe the temperature and pressure of the heatstorage material 111 of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Further,the thermal and pressure monitoring devices may be interfaced with acomputer processing system configured to apply an established algorithm(e.g., established equation-of-state for the storage material inquestion) to the data outputs of the thermal and pressure monitoringdevices, thus relating the temperature and pressure of the heat storagematerial 111 to the internal energy of the heat storage material 111(e.g., liquid metal or pressurized gas).

In another aspect, the temperature of the auxiliary thermal reservoir112 may be controlled using a reservoir temperature control system 454.For example, the reservoir temperature control system 454 may be used toincrease or decrease the temperature of the auxiliary thermal reservoir112. For instance, in situations where the internal temperature of theauxiliary thermal reservoir reaches levels outside the predefinedoperational limits, the reservoir temperature control system 454 maysignal the heat supply system 114 to transfer a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to the one or moreenergy conversion systems 110 of the nuclear reactor systems 106, suchas a turbine 218 or a low grade heat dump 230.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104may include, but are not limited to, an energy transfer systemconfigured to transfer thermal energy 502 from a portion of one or morenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactorsystems 102 to one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. Forexample, an energy transfer system configured to transfer thermal energy502 from a portion (e.g., primary coolant system) of a nuclear reactorsystem 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may divert thermal energy from a portionof a nuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to one or moreenergy conversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, one or more of the energy transfer systems configured totransfer thermal energy 502 from a portion of one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102to one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 may include, but are notlimited to, one or more heat transfer systems 504. For example, a heattransfer system 504 may transfer thermal energy from a portion of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. For instance, the heattransfer system 504 may transfer thermal energy from a portion of anuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 viathermal convection 506 (e.g., natural convection or forced convectionvia coolant pump(s)). In another instance, the heat transfer system 504may transfer thermal energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 via thermal conduction 508(e.g., using a heat exchanger). Those having skill in the art willrecognize that the one or more heat transfer systems 504 may beconfigured to transfer thermal energy from a portion of one or more ofthe nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 to one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 using boththermal conduction 506 and thermal convection 508. Then, a heat supplysystem 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the oneor more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more energyconversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the one or more heat transfer systems 504 may include, but arenot limited to, one or more direct fluid exchange heat transfer systems510. For example, a direct fluid exchange heat transfer system 510 maytransfer thermal energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. The direct fluid exchange heat transfer system 510 mayinclude a system configured to intermix the coolant of a nuclear reactor108 of a nuclear reactor system 106 with the fluidic heat storagematerial 111 contained in the reservoir containment system 424. Forinstance, a fluid carrying loop may couple a primary coolant system of anuclear reactor system 106 and the reservoir fluid containment system424, allowing for the intermixing of the two fluids. The rate of reactorcoolant-reservoir fluid intermixing may be controlled by the directfluid exchange transfer system 510. For instance, a valve system and/orfluid pumps (e.g., mechanical pumps or magnetohydrodynamic pumps) may beemployed to volumetrically limit the exchange of material between thereactor coolant system of a nuclear reactor system 106 and the reservoirfluid containment system 424. Moreover, the reservoir fluid and thereactor coolant may consist of identical or substantially similarmaterials. For example, both the reservoir fluid and the reactor coolantmay consist of an identical liquid metal, such as liquid sodium.Additionally, the reservoir fluid and the reactor coolant may consist ofdifferent materials. For example, the reservoir fluid may consist of aliquid organic, such as diphenyl with diphenyl oxide, while the reactorcoolant may consist of liquid sodium.

Further, the one or more heat transfer systems 504 may include, but arenot limited to, one or more reactor-reservoir heat exchangers 514. Forexample, a reactor-reservoir heat exchanger 514 may transfer thermalenergy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.For instance, the reactor-to-reservoir heat exchanger 514 may include aheat exchanger 515 having a first portion in thermal communication withthe primary coolant system of the nuclear reactor system 106 and asecond portion in thermal communication with the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. Further, the heat transfer system 504 may include morethan one reactor-reservoir heat exchanger 514. For example, a firstportion of a first heat exchanger may be in thermal communication withthe primary coolant system of the nuclear reactor system 106, while asecond portion of the first heat exchanger may be in thermalcommunication with a heat exchange loop. Further, a first portion of asecond heat exchanger may be in thermal communication with the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112, while a second portion of the second heatexchanger may be in thermal communication with the heat exchange loop.Collectively, the first heat exchanger-heat exchange loop-second heatexchanger system acts to transfer thermal energy from the primarycoolant system of the nuclear reactor system 106 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104 mayinclude, but are not limited to, an energy transfer system configured totransfer electrical energy 503 from a portion of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactorsystems 102 to one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. Forexample, an energy transfer system configured to transfer electricalenergy 503 from a portion of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 may transfer electrical energy from a portion (e.g.,energy conversion system 110) of the nuclear reactor system 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 to one or more energy conversion system 110 of the one ormore nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102.

Further, one or more of the energy transfer systems configured totransfer electrical energy 503 from a portion of one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102to one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 may include, but are notlimited to, an electrical energy-to-thermal energy conversion system516. For example, an electrical energy-to-thermal energy conversionsystem 516, such as a resistive heating device 517 (e.g., a heating coil518), may convert a portion of the electrical energy produced by anenergy conversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 to thermalenergy. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that thesystem for transferring electrical energy 503 from a portion of anuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may beutilized to convert excess electrical energy produced by an energyconversion system 110 of the nuclear reactor system 106 to thermalenergy. Subsequently, a portion of that thermal energy may betransferred to and stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then,a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energystored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to one or more energyconversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, one or more heat transfer systems 504 maytransfer thermal energy from a portion of one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to one ormore auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112, wherein the portion of a nuclearreactor system 106 is in thermal communication with a heat source 522 ofthe nuclear reactor system 106. For example, a heat transfer system 504may transfer thermal energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system106 in thermal communication with the nuclear reactor core 524 of anuclear reactor 108 of the nuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112. Further, the portion of the nuclear reactorsystem 106 in thermal communication with the nuclear reactor core 524may include, but is not limited to, a portion of the primary coolantsystem 526 (e.g., portion of the primary coolant loop 528 or portion ofthe primary coolant pool 530). For example, a heat transfer system 504may transfer thermal energy from a primary coolant system 526 of anuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then,a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energystored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to one or more energyconversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 5C, one or more heat transfer systems 504 maytransfer thermal energy from a primary coolant system 526 of one or morenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112, wherein the primary coolantsystem 526 is in thermal communication (e.g., thermally communicatingvia a primary coolant system—secondary coolant system heat exchanger536) with a secondary coolant system not in thermal communication 532with the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. For example, the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 may be thermally coupled via a heat transfersystem 504 to a primary coolant loop 528 of the primary coolant system526. By way of further example, the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 maybe thermally coupled via a heat transfer system 504 to a primary coolantpool 530 of the primary coolant system 526. Then, a heat supply system114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the auxiliarythermal reservoirs 112 to one or more energy conversion systems 110 ofthe one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems.

Referring now to FIG. 5D, one or more heat transfer systems 504 maytransfer thermal energy from a primary coolant system 526 of one or morenuclear reactor systems 106 to one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs112, wherein the primary coolant system 526 and a secondary coolantsystem 532 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 are both inthermal communication with the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Forexample, the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may be thermally coupled toboth a primary coolant loop 528 of the primary coolant system 526 of anuclear reactor system 106 and a secondary coolant loop 534 of asecondary coolant system 532 of the nuclear reactor system 106, suchthat the thermal path coupling the primary coolant loop 526, theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112, and the secondary coolant loop 532 isparallel to the thermal path coupling the primary coolant loop 526, theprimary-secondary coolant system heat exchanger 536, and the secondarycoolant loop 532. Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion ofthe thermal energy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to oneor more energy conversion systems 110 of the one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the heat supply system 114 may include, but isnot limited to, a heat exchange loop 602. For example, a first portionof a heat exchange loop 602 may be in thermal communication with aportion of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and a second portion ofthe heat exchange loop 602 may be in thermal communication with anenergy conversion system 110 of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Then, in response to ashutdown event of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, the heat exchange loop 602 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to at least one energy conversionsystem 110 of the one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, the heat supply system 114 may include, but is notlimited to, one or more heat pipes 604. For example, a first portion ofa heat pipe 604 may be in thermal communication with a portion of theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and a second portion of the heat pipe604 may be in thermal communication with an energy conversion system 110of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102. Then, in response to a shutdown event of one ormore nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102, the heat pipe 604 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to atleast one energy conversion system 110 of the one or more nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, the heat supply system 114 may include, but is notlimited to, one or more heat exchangers 606. For example, a firstportion of a first heat exchanger 608 may be in thermal communicationwith a portion of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and a secondportion of the first heat exchanger 606 may be in thermal communicationwith an energy conversion system 110 of one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Then, theheat pipe 604 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in theone or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to at least one energyconversion system 110 of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a combination ofheat exchange loops 602, heat exchangers 606, and heat pipes 604 may beused in conjunction to supply heat from the auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an energy conversion system 110 of one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Forexample, a first heat exchanger 606, containing a number of heat pipes604, may be used to thermally couple the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112and a first portion of a heat exchange loop 602. Moreover, a second heatexchanger 606, also containing numerous heat pipes 604, may be used tothermally couple a portion of an energy conversion system 110 of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to the heat exchange loop 602. Then, thermal energy may be suppliedfrom the auxiliary thermal 112 reservoir to the energy conversion system110 via the heat exchange loop-heat exchanger circuit.

In another aspect, the heat supply system 114 may include, but is notlimited to, one or more thermoelectric devices 608. For example, a firstportion of a thermoelectric device 608 (e.g., p-type/n-typesemiconductor thermoelectric junction) may be placed in thermalcommunication with the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112, while a secondportion of the thermoelectric device 608 may be placed in thermalcommunication with a cold reservoir (e.g., an environmental reservoir orany portion of the nuclear reactor system at a temperature lower thanthe auxiliary thermal reservoir) of one or more nuclear reactor systems106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Then, theelectrical power produced by the thermoelectric conversion of thethermal energy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may be usedto supplement or replace the electrical output of an energy conversionsystem 110 of one or more nuclear reactor systems 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an additional energy source 702 may supplementthe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 with an additional portion ofenergy. For example, excess energy from the load 220 (e.g., the externalgrid 703) of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 may be usedto provide supplemental energy to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.For instance, when grid requirements are such that an energy conversionsystem 110 is producing excess electrical power, the excess power may beconverted to thermal energy via an electrical-to-thermal energyconversion process (e.g., heating coil) and transferred to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 using a supplementary energy transfer system 704,thus supplementing the energy transferred to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 via the energy transfer systems 104 during normaloperation.

By way of another example, the additional energy source 702 may include,but is not limited to, a non-nuclear reactor energy source 708, such ascoal powered generator, a solar array, or wind powered turbine. Forinstance, electrical energy produced from a coal powered generator maybe converted to thermal energy via an electrical-to-thermal energyconversion process and transferred to the auxiliary thermal reservoir112 using a supplementary energy transfer system 704, thus supplementingthe energy transferred to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 via theenergy transfer systems 104 during normal operation. In anotherinstance, excess electrical energy from a solar array or wind poweredturbine may be converted to thermal energy via an electrical-to-thermalenergy conversion process and transferred to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 using a supplementary energy transfer system 704, thussupplementing the energy transferred to the auxiliary thermal reservoir112 via the energy transfer systems 104 during normal operation.

In an additional instance, thermal energy produced by a coal generatormay be transferred directly to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 via asupplementary energy transfer system 704, thus supplementing the energytransferred to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 via the primaryenergy transfer systems 104 during normal operation. It will berecognized by those skilled in the art that the supplemental energysupplied to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 by an additional energysource may be used to superheat the reservoir material of the auxiliarythermal reservoir to temperatures beyond normal operational capability.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104may include, but are not limited to, an energy transfer systemresponsive to a condition 802. The conditions with which the energytransfer system is responsive may include, but are not limited to,nuclear reactor operational conditions (e.g., temperature, rate ofchange of temperature, pressure or rate of change of pressure, nuclearreactor capacity), power demand on the one or more nuclear reactorsystems (e.g., electrical power requirements of the grid), nuclearreactor system operation system conditions (e.g., control system,monitoring system, or safety system (e.g., heat sink status or coolantpump status)). For example, in response to a coolant pump malfunction ofone of the nuclear reactor systems 106, an energy transfer system 104may divert energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor system 106 tothe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. By way of further example, at ornear a specified operating temperature of a portion of a nuclear reactorsystem 106 (e.g., nuclear reactor core or nuclear reactor coolantfluid), an energy transfer system 104 may initiate transfer of thermalenergy from the nuclear reactor 108 of the nuclear reactor system 106 tothe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more of the energy conversionsystems 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, an energy transfer system associated with a first nuclearreactor 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 may includean energy transfer system responsive to a condition of a first nuclearreactor system 804. For example, in response to a coolant pumpmalfunction of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102, an energy transfer system configured torespond to a condition of the first nuclear reactor system 804 maydivert energy from a portion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 tothe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more of the energy conversionsystems 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Additionally, an energy transfer system associated with a first nuclearreactor 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 may includean energy transfer system responsive to a condition of an additionalnuclear reactor system 806 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102. For example, in response to a drop in the energy output of a secondnuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems,the energy transfer system configured to respond to a condition of anadditional nuclear reactor system 806 may divert energy from a portionof the first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor system 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. By way offurther example, in response to a drop in the energy output of thesecond and third nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., a drop in both theindividual outputs of the second nuclear reactor system and thirdnuclear reactor system or a drop in the collective output of the secondand third nuclear reactors systems) of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102, the energy transfer system configured to respond to acondition of an additional nuclear reactor system 806 may divert energyfrom a portion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor system 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.Further, in response to a drop in the energy output of the Nth nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, theenergy transfer system configured to respond to a condition of anadditional nuclear reactor system 806 may divert energy from a portionof the first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor system 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Moregenerally, in response to a condition of the Nth nuclear reactor system106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, the correspondingenergy transfer systems configured to respond to a condition of anadditional nuclear reactor system 806 may divert energy from a portionof the first nuclear reactor system 106, the second nuclear system 106,or up the (N−1) nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor system 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inthe one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more of theenergy conversion systems 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104 mayinclude, but are not limited to, an energy transfer system responsive tothe determination of excess capacity 808 of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102. Forexample, in the event one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 isproducing more energy than is required by the load (e.g., externalelectrical power grid) of the energy conversion system 110 of thenuclear reactor system 106, the energy transfer system may initiatetransfer of thermal or electrical energy from a portion of one or moreof the nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., a first nuclear reactor system106, a second nuclear reactor system 106 or a Nth nuclear system 106) tothe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. For instance, in the event a firstnuclear reactor system 106 is producing more energy than is required bythe load (e.g., external electrical power grid) of the energy conversionsystem 110 of the first nuclear reactor system 106, the energy transfersystem 104 may initiate transfer of thermal or electrical energy from aportion of the first nuclear reactor system 106, the second nuclearreactor system 106 or the Nth nuclear reactor system 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to at least one energy conversionsystem 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102.

In an additional aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104may include, but are not limited to, an energy transfer systemresponsive to an operation system 810 of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102.For example, the energy transfer system responsive to an operationsystem 810 may include, but is not limited to, an energy transfer systemresponsive to a signal from an operation system 812. For example, inresponse to a signal, such as a remote wireless signal (e.g., radiofrequency signal) or remote wireline signal (e.g., copper wire signal orfiber optic cable signal), from an operation system (e.g., shutdownsystem, warning system, or security system) of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems 106, an energy transfer system responsive to asignal from an operation system 812 may initiate transfer of energy froma portion of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. Further, the energy transfer system responsive to anoperation system 810 may include, but is not limited to, an energytransfer system responsive to a monitoring system 808 (e.g., temperaturemonitoring system or pressure monitoring system), an energy transfersystem responsive to a control system 810, or an energy transfer systemresponsive to safety system 812. For instance, in response to a signalfrom a monitoring system 814 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102, one ormore of the energy transfer systems 104 may initiate transfer of energyfrom a portion of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. In another instance, in response to asignal from a control system 816 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102, one ormore of the energy transfer systems 104 may initiate transfer of energyfrom a portion of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Further, in response to a signal from asafety system 818 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 ofthe plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102, one or more of theenergy transfer systems 104 may initiate transfer of energy from aportion of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more of the one energyconversion systems 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, an energy transfer system associated with a first nuclearreactor 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 may includean energy transfer system responsive to a signal from an operationsystem of the first nuclear reactor system. For example, in response toa signal from an operation system of the first nuclear reactor system106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, an energy transfersystem configured to respond to a signal of an operation system of thefirst nuclear reactor system may divert energy from a portion of thefirst nuclear reactor system 106 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.For instance, in response to a signal from the monitoring system of thefirst nuclear reactor system the energy transfer system may divertenergy from a portion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more of the energy conversionsystems 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Moreover, an energy transfer system associated with a first nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 mayinclude an energy transfer system responsive to a signal from anoperation system of an additional nuclear reactor system. For example,in response to a signal from an operation system of an additionalnuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., second nuclear reactor system 106,third nuclear reactor system 106, or Nth nuclear reactor system 106) ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, the energy transfer systemconfigured to respond to a signal from an operation system of anadditional nuclear reactor system may divert energy from a portion ofthe first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystem 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. For instance, inresponse to a signal from a monitoring system of an additional nuclearreactor system, the energy transfer system may divert energy from aportion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion ofthe thermal energy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112 to one or more of the energy conversion systems 110 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104 mayinclude, but are not limited to, an energy transfer system responsive toa signal from an operator 820 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102. Forexample, in response to a signal from an operator (e.g., human user orhuman controlled system, such as a programmed computer system), one ormore energy transfer systems responsive to a signal from an operator 820may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactorsystems 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. For instance, anenergy transfer system responsive to a signal from an operator 820, inresponse to a remote signal, such as a wireline or wireless signal froma computer terminal controlled by an operator, may initiate transfer ofthermal energy from a nuclear reactor 108 of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems 106 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inthe one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more of theenergy conversion systems 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102.

In an additional aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104may include, but are not limited to, an energy transfer systemresponsive to a pre-selected diversion start time 822. For example, thepre-selected diversion start time may include a time of elapse (e.g.,time of elapse measured relative to a specific event, such as a shutdownevent or satisfaction of grid demand requirements) or an absolute time.For instance, an energy transfer system responsive to a pre-selecteddiversion start time 822, at a pre-selected absolute time (e.g., 2:00a.m. eastern standard time) may initiate transfer of energy from anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactorsystems 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. It will berecognized by those skilled in the art that historical grid power demanddata may be utilized to determine the appropriate time in which to begindiversion of nuclear reactor generated energy to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. In another instance, the energy transfer systemresponsive to a pre-selected diversion start time 822, upon elapse of apre-selected amount of time from a specific event, such as a nuclearreactor shutdown or achievement of power production in excess ofexternal demand, may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of oneor more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of thenuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to atleast one energy conversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104 mayinclude, but are not limited to, an energy transfer system responsive toa reservoir operation system 824 of one or more auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112. For example, an energy transfer system responsive to areservoir operation system 824 may include, but is not limited to, anenergy transfer system responsive to a signal from a reservoir operationsystem 826. For example, in response to a signal, such as a remotewireless signal (e.g., radio frequency signal) or remote wireline signal(e.g., copper wire signal or fiber optic cable signal), from a reservoiroperation system of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112, the energytransfer system responsive to a signal from a reservoir operation system826 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of a nuclear reactorsystem 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Further, theenergy transfer system responsive to a reservoir operation system 824may include, but is not limited to, an energy transfer system responsiveto a reservoir monitoring system 828 (e.g., temperature monitoringsystem, pressure monitoring system, system for monitoring amount ofstored energy, or system for monitoring the amount of available storagecapacity), an energy transfer system responsive to a reservoir controlsystem 830, or an energy transfer system responsive to a reservoirsafety system 832. For instance, in response to a signal from areservoir monitoring system, the energy transfer system responsive to areservoir monitoring system 828 may initiate transfer of energy from aportion of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. In anotherinstance, in response to a signal from a reservoir control system, theenergy transfer system responsive to a reservoir control system 830 mayinitiate transfer of energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112. Further, in response to a signal from a reservoirsafety system, the energy transfer system responsive to a reservoirsafety system 832 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to at least one energy conversionsystem 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104may include, but are not limited to, an energy transfer systemresponsive to a shutdown event 834 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102. Forexample, an energy transfer system responsive to a shutdown event 834 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of thenuclear reactor systems 102 may include, but is not limited to, anenergy transfer system responsive to a scheduled shutdown event 834 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 or an energy transfersystem responsive to an emergency shutdown event 838 of one or more ofthe nuclear reactor systems 106. For instance, in response to a scheduleshutdown event (e.g., routine maintenance), one or more of the energytransfer systems responsive to a scheduled shutdown event 836 of one ormore of the nuclear reactors 106 may initiate transfer of energy from aportion of one or more of the nuclear reactor system 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. In another instance, in response to anemergency shutdown event (e.g., SCRAM), one or more of the energytransfer systems responsive to an emergency shutdown event 838 of one ormore of the nuclear reactors 106 may initiate transfer of energy from aportion of one or more of the nuclear reactor system 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 to at least one energy conversion system 110 of one ormore of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102. It will be recognized by those skilled in the artthat, in response to a shutdown event of a nuclear reactor system 106 ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, energy may be divertedfrom a portion of the nuclear reactor system 106 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 prior to, during, and following the shutdown ofthe nuclear reactor 108 of the nuclear reactor system 106, as part ofthe steps required to facilitate the nuclear reactor system 106shutdown.

Further, an energy transfer system associated with a first nuclearreactor 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 may includean energy transfer system responsive to a shutdown event of the firstnuclear reactor system. For example, in response to a shutdown event ofthe first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102, an energy transfer system configured to respond to ashutdown event of the first nuclear reactor system may divert energyfrom a portion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112. For instance, in response to an emergencyshutdown event of the first nuclear reactor system the energy transfersystem may divert energy from a portion of the first nuclear reactorsystem 106 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supplysystem 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the oneor more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to one or more of the energyconversion systems 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Moreover, an energy transfer system associated with a first nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 mayinclude an energy transfer system responsive to a shutdown event of anadditional nuclear reactor system. For example, in response to ashutdown event of an additional nuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., secondnuclear reactor system 106, third nuclear reactor system 106, or Nthnuclear reactor system 106) of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, the energy transfer system configured to respond to a shutdownevent of an additional nuclear reactor system may divert energy from aportion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor system 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Forinstance, in response to a scheduled shutdown event of an additionalnuclear reactor system, the energy transfer system may divert energyfrom a portion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in the one or more auxiliarythermal reservoirs 112 to one or more of the energy conversion systems110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104 mayinclude, but are not limited to, an energy transfer system suitable forestablishing thermal communication between a nuclear reactor system andthe auxiliary thermal reservoir 840. For example, in response to acondition, the energy transfer system suitable for establishing thermalcommunication between the nuclear reactor system and the auxiliarythermal reservoir 840 may establish a thermal pathway between a portionof a nuclear reactor 108 (e.g., primary coolant system) of the nuclearreactor system 106 and the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Forinstance, in the case of a direct fluid exchange heat transfer system510, a control valve may be used to initiate the intermixing of thereactor coolant and reservoir fluid. In another instance, in the case ofa heat transfer system employing a reactor-reservoir heat exchanger 514,a control valve may be used to initiate reactor coolant flow through theheat exchanger.

In another aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104 mayinclude, but are not limited to, an energy transfer system responsive tothe determination of the amount of energy stored in the auxiliarythermal reservoir 842. For example, in response to the determination ofenergy currently stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112, theenergy transfer system responsive to the determination of the amount ofenergy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 842 may initiatetransfer of energy from a portion of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Further, the energy transfer systemresponsive to the determination of the amount of energy stored in theauxiliary thermal reservoir 842 may include an energy transfer systemresponsive to the determination of the percentage of energy stored,relative to the overall storage capacity, in the auxiliary thermalreservoir 844. For example, in response to a determination of a setpercentage level of stored energy (e.g., 25% of energy storage capacityis being utilized), the energy transfer system responsive to thedetermination of the percentage of stored energy 842 may initiatetransfer of energy from a portion a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion ofthe thermal energy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112 to at least one energy conversion system 110 of one ormore of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102.

In an additional aspect, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104may include, but are not limited to, an energy transfer systemresponsive to the determination of the amount of available storagecapacity in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 846. For example, inresponse to the determination of available energy storage capacity, theenergy transfer system responsive to the determination of the amount ofavailable storage capacity in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 846 mayinitiate transfer of energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112. Further, the energy transfer system responsive tothe determination of the amount of available storage capacity in theauxiliary thermal reservoir 846 may include an energy transfer systemresponsive to the determination of the percentage of available energystorage capacity in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 848. For example, inresponse to a determination of a set level of available energy storage(e.g., 75% storage capacity remains), the energy transfer systemresponsive to the determination of the percentage of available energystorage capacity 848 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Then, a heat supply system114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to at least one energy conversionsystem 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 8C, one or more of the energy transfer systems 104may include, but are not limited to, an energy transfer system suitablefor diverting excess energy from a nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems to an auxiliary thermal reservoir850. For example, an energy transfer system suitable for divertingexcess energy from a nuclear reactor system to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 850 may transfer energy exceeding operational demand of anenergy conversion system 852. For instance, in the event aturbine-generator system of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 is producing electrical powerin excess of grid demand, the energy transfer system 104 may transferenergy (e.g., thermal or electrical) from a portion of a nuclear reactorsystem 106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Further, one or moreof the energy transfer systems 104 may include an energy transfer systemconfigured to divert a specified percentage of the energy output of anuclear reactor system to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 854. Forexample, a control system or operator may choose to transfer apre-selected percentage of a nuclear reactor system 106 output andtransfer at least a portion of that energy to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art thatthe level of energy output pre-selected to be transferred to theauxiliary thermal reservoir may be a function of time and may be derivedfrom historic external power demand curves. For example, in times of dayor times of year historically displaying relatively low grid demand, thecontrol system or operator may choose to divert a larger percentage ofthe output of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir than the percentage transferred duringperiods of higher demand.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, one or more of the heat supply systems 114 mayinclude, but are not limited to a heat supply system responsive to acondition 902. The conditions with which one or more of the heat supplysystems are responsive may include, but are not limited to, nuclearreactor operational conditions (e.g., temperature, rate of change oftemperature, pressure or rate of change of pressure, nuclear reactorcapacity), power demand on the one or more nuclear reactor systems(e.g., electrical power requirements of the grid), nuclear reactorsystem operation system conditions (e.g., control system, monitoringsystem, or safety system (e.g., heat sink status or coolant pumpstatus)), or reservoir operational conditions (e.g., temperature, rateof change of temperature, pressure or rate of change of pressure). Forexample, in response to a condition of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems 106, a heat supply system configured to respond to acondition of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 904 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in the one or more auxiliarythermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of one or moreof the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102. For instance, in response to heightened power demand on athe nuclear reactor systems 106, a heat supply system responsive toheightened power demand on one or more of the nuclear reactor systems906 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the heat supply systems responsive toa condition 902 may include, but are not limited to a heat supply systemresponsive to a shutdown event 908. For example, in response to anemergency shutdown event (e.g., SCRAM), a heat supply system responsiveto an emergency shutdown event 910 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to anenergy conversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. By way ofanother example, in response to a scheduled shutdown event (e.g.,routine maintenance), a heat supply system responsive to a scheduleshutdown event 912 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inthe one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversionsystem 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. It will be recognized by thoseskilled in the art that, in response to a shutdown event of one or moreof the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102, the thermal energy stored in the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 may be transferred from the auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an energy conversion system 110 of one or more nuclear reactorsystems 106 prior to, during, and following the shutdown of a nuclearreactor system 106 as part of the steps required to facilitate thenuclear reactor system 106 shutdown.

In another aspect, one or more of the heat supply systems responsive toa shutdown event 908, may include, but are not limited to, a heat supplysystem responsive to a shutdown event established by an operation system914. For example, in response to a shutdown event established by anoperation system (e.g., shutdown system) of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems 106, a heat supply system responsive to a shutdown eventestablished by an operation system 914 may initiate transfer of thethermal energy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs112 to an energy conversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Byway of further example, a heat supply system responsive to a shutdownevent established by a reactor control system 916 may initiate transferof the thermal energy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.Further, the reactor control system may include a reactor control systemresponsive to a signal from one or more reactor safety systems 918. Forexample, a heat supply system responsive to a shutdown event establishedby a reactor control system responsive to a signal from a safety system918 may initiate transfer of the thermal energy stored in the one ormore auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversion system 110of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofthe nuclear reactor systems 102. Even further, the safety system mayinclude a safety system responsive to one or more sensed conditions ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., externalconditions or internal conditions) 920. For instance, a safety system ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106, upon sensing a loss ofheat sink, may send a signal to a reactor control system of one of thenuclear reactor systems 106. In turn, the reactor control system mayestablish a nuclear reactor system 106 shutdown and send a correspondingsignal to a heat supply system responsive to a shutdown eventestablished by a reactor control system. Then, the heat supply systemresponsive to a shutdown event established by a reactor control systemmay initiate transfer of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, one or more of the heat supply systemsresponsive to a condition 902 may include, but are not limited to, aheat supply system responsive to an operation system 922 of one or moreof the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102. For example, in response to a signal, such as a remotewireless signal (e.g., radio frequency signal) or remote wireline signal(e.g., copper wire signal or fiber optic cable signal), from anoperation system (e.g., control system, safety system, monitoringsystem, shutdown system, warning system, or security system) of one ormore of the nuclear reactor systems, the heat supply system responsiveto a signal from an operation system 924 may initiate transfer of thethermal energy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs112 to an energy conversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Forinstance, upon receiving a signal from a monitoring system a nuclearreactor system 106 indicating the shutdown of the nuclear reactor system106, a heat supply system responsive to a signal from an operationsystem 924 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 mayinitiate transfer of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the heat supply systems responsive toa condition 902 may include, but are not limited to, a heat supplysystem responsive to a reservoir operation system 926 of one or more ofthe auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. For example, in response to asignal, such as a remote wireless signal (e.g., radio frequency signal)or remote wireline signal (e.g., copper wire signal or fiber optic cablesignal), from a reservoir operation system (e.g., control system, safetysystem, monitoring system) of one or more of the auxiliary thermalreservoirs 112, a heat supply system responsive to a signal from areservoir operation system 928 may initiate transfer of the thermalenergy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to anenergy conversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Forinstance, upon receiving a signal from a monitoring system of anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 indicating the shutdown of a nuclearreactor system 106 (e.g., energy no longer being diverted to thermalreservoir), the heat supply system responsive to a signal from areservoir operation system 928 may initiate transfer of the thermalenergy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to anenergy conversion system 110 of one of more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In an additional aspect, one or more of the heat supply systemsresponsive to a condition 902 may include, but are not limited to, aheat supply system responsive to an operator 930 of one or more of thenuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102. For example, in response to a signal from an operator (e.g., humanuser or human controlled system, such as a programmed computer system),a heat supply system responsive to a signal from an operator 932 mayinitiate transfer of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102. For instance, a heat supply systemresponsive to a signal from an operator 932, in response to a remotesignal, such as wireline or wireless signal from a computer terminalcontrolled by an operator, may initiate transfer of the thermal energystored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 9C, one or more of the heat supply systemsresponsive to a condition 902 may include, but are not limited to, aheat supply system responsive to a pre-selected supply start time 934.For example, the pre-selected supply start time may include the amountof elapsed time relative to a specific event (e.g., shutdown event) oran absolute time. For instance, a heat supply system responsive to apre-selected supply start time 934, at a pre-selected absolute time(e.g., 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time), may initiate transfer of thethermal energy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs112 to an energy conversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclearreactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Itwill be recognized by those skilled in the art that historical gridpower demand data may be utilized to determine the appropriate time inwhich to begin transfer of the thermal energy stored in the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to at least one energy conversionsystem 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. In another instance, a heatsupply system responsive to a pre-selected supply start time 934, uponelapse of a pre-selected amount of time from a specific event, such as anuclear reactor 108 shutdown, may initiate transfer of the thermalenergy stored in the one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to anenergy conversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In another aspect, one or more of the heat supply systems responsive toa condition 902 may include, but are not limited to, a heat supplysystem responsive to the determination of the amount of energy stored inone or more of the auxiliary thermal reservoirs 936. For example, inresponse to the determination of energy currently stored in an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112, a heat supply system responsive to thedetermination of the amount of energy stored in the auxiliary thermalreservoir 936 may initiate transfer of the thermal energy stored in theauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofone or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102. Further, the heat supply system responsiveto the determination of the amount of energy stored in the auxiliarythermal reservoir 936 may include a heat supply system responsive to thedetermination of the percentage of energy stored, relative to theoverall storage capacity, in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 938. Forexample, in response to the determination of a set percentage level ofstored energy (e.g., 80% of energy storage capacity is being utilized),a heat supply system responsive to the determination of the percentageof stored energy 938 may initiate transfer of the thermal energy storedin one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energy conversionsystem 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

In an additional aspect, one or more of the heat supply systemsresponsive to a condition 902 may include, but are not limited to, aheat supply system responsive to the determination of the amount ofavailable storage capacity in one or more of auxiliary thermalreservoirs 940. For example, in response to the determination ofavailable energy storage capacity, a heat supply system responsive tothe determination of the amount of available storage capacity in anauxiliary thermal reservoir 940 may initiate transfer of the thermalenergy stored the auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. Further, the heatsupply system responsive to the determination of the amount of availablestorage capacity in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 940 may include aheat supply system responsive to the determination of the percentage ofavailable energy storage capacity in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 942.For example, in response to the determination of a set percentage levelof available energy storage (e.g., 20% storage capacity remains), a heatsupply system responsive to the determination of the percentage ofavailable energy storage capacity 942 of an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 may initiate transfer of the thermal energy stored in the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of one or moreof the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102.

Referring now to FIG. 9D, one or more of the heat supply systems 114 mayinclude, but are not limited to, a heat supply system suitable forsupplying a specified portion of the energy stored in one or more ofauxiliary thermal reservoirs to an energy conversion system of one ormore of the nuclear reactor systems of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 944. For example, a heat supply system suitable for supplying aspecified portion of the energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir944 may be utilized to transfer a specified amount of the thermal energystored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversionsystem 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102. For instance, the amount ofenergy transferred from an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 may be based on current load demand (e.g., griddemand), where a control system or operator may choose the amount ofenergy to be transferred to the energy conversion system based on thelevel of demand that the energy conversion system is currentlyundergoing. Further, the heat supply system suitable for supplying aspecified portion of the energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoirto the energy conversion system 944 may include a heat supply systemsuitable for supplying a specified percentage of the energy stored inthe auxiliary thermal reservoir to the energy conversion system 946. Forexample, a heat supply system suitable for supplying a specifiedpercentage of the energy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir tothe energy conversion system 946 may be utilized by a control system oroperator to transfer a chosen percentage (e.g., 50% of the storedenergy) of the energy stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 toan energy conversion system 110 of one or more of the nuclear reactorsystems 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Following are a series of flowcharts depicting implementations. For easeof understanding, the flowcharts are organized such that the initialflowcharts present implementations via an example implementation andthereafter the following flowcharts present alternate implementationsand/or expansions of the initial flowchart(s) as either sub-componentoperations or additional component operations building on one or moreearlier-presented flowcharts. Those having skill in the art willappreciate that the style of presentation utilized herein (e.g.,beginning with a presentation of a flowchart(s) presenting an exampleimplementation and thereafter providing additions to and/or furtherdetails in subsequent flowcharts) generally allows for a rapid and easyunderstanding of the various process implementations. In addition, thoseskilled in the art will further appreciate that the style ofpresentation used herein also lends itself well to modular and/orobject-oriented program design paradigms.

FIG. 10 illustrates an operational flow 1000 representing exampleoperations related to the storage and utilization of energy generated bya plurality of nuclear reactor systems. In FIG. 10 and in followingfigures that include various examples of operational flows, discussionand explanation may be provided with respect to the above-describedexamples of FIGS. 1 through 9D, and/or with respect to other examplesand contexts. However, it should be understood that the operationalflows may be executed in a number of other environments and contexts,and/or in modified versions of FIGS. 1 through 9D. Also, although thevarious operational flows are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated,it should be understood that the various operations may be performed inother orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performedconcurrently.

After a start operation, the operational flow 1000 moves to a firstdiverting operation 1010. The first diverting operation 1010 depictsdiverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a first energy transfer system 104 may transfer energy froma portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to one or more auxiliary thermal reservoirs112.

Then, the additional diverting operation 1020 depicts diverting at leastone additional selected portion of energy from a portion of at least oneadditional nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a second energy transfer system 104 maytransfer energy from a portion of a second nuclear reactor system 106 ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the one or moreauxiliary thermal reservoirs 112. More generally, an Nth energy transfersystem 104 may transfer energy from a portion of an Nth nuclear reactorsystem 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the one ormore auxiliary thermal reservoirs 112.

Then, the supplying operation 1030 depicts supplying at least a portionof thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir toat least one energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, one or more heat supply systems 114 maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 to one or more of energy conversion systems 110 of one ormore of the nuclear reactor systems 106 of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems.

FIG. 11 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 11 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 1102, and/oran operation 1104.

Operation 1102 illustrates diverting at least a first portion of excessenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a first energy transfersystem 104 may transfer excess energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 1104 illustrates diverting at least a firstportion of energy exceeding operational demand of at least one energyconversion system from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a first energytransfer system 104 may transfer energy exceeding operational demand(e.g., energy in excess of grid requirements) of an energy conversionsystem associated with a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102 from a portion of the first nuclearreactor system 106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 12 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 1202.

Operation 1202 illustrates diverting a specified percentage of theenergy output of a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems from a portion of the first nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a first energy transfer system 104 may transfer a specifiedpercentage of the energy output of a portion (e.g., nuclear reactor coreor portion of nuclear reactor system in thermal communication with thenuclear reactor core, such as the primary coolant system) of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102from a portion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate alternative embodiments of the exampleoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 13 illustrates exampleembodiments where the first diverting operation 1010 may include atleast one additional operation. Additional operations may include anoperation 1302, an operation 1304, an operation 1306, an operation 1308,an operation 1310, an operation 1312, and/or an operation 1314.

Operation 1302 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoirusing at least one energy transfer system. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, a first energy transfer system 104 may transferenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

Further, the operation 1304 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one energy transfer system.For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, one or more of the energy transfersystems 104 may be suitable for transferring thermal energy 502. Forinstance, as shown in FIGS. through 9D, a first energy transfer system104 may transfer thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 1306 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one heat transfer system. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 5A, one or more of energy transfer systems 104may include a heat transfer system 504. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1through 9D, a first heat transfer system 504 may transfer thermal energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 1308 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one heat transfer system, theportion of the first nuclear reactor in thermal communication with atleast one heat source of the first nuclear reactor system. For example,as shown in FIG. 5B, heat may be transferred from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112, wherein the portion of the firstnuclear reactor system 106 is in thermal communication with a heatsource 522 of the first nuclear reactor system 106. For instance, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a first heat transfer system 504 maytransfer thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system106 (e.g., coolant system of the nuclear reactor system) in thermalcommunication with a heat source 522 of the first nuclear reactor system106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 1310 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one heat transfer system, theportion of the first nuclear reactor system in thermal communicationwith at least one nuclear reactor core of the first nuclear reactorsystem. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the heat source 522 of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102may include a nuclear reactor core 524. For instance, as shown in FIGS.1 through 9D, a heat transfer system 504 of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 may transfer thermal energy from a portion of the firstnuclear reactor system 106 in thermal communication with the nuclearreactor core 524 of the first nuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 1312 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of at least one primary coolantsystem of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using atleast one heat transfer system. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, theportion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 in thermal communicationwith the nuclear reactor core 524 of the first nuclear reactor system106 may include a portion of the primary coolant system 526 of the firstnuclear reactor system 106. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 1 through9D, a first heat transfer system 504 may transfer thermal energy from aportion of a primary coolant system 526 of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 1314 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of at least one primary coolantloop of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using at least oneheat transfer system. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the portion ofthe primary coolant system of the first nuclear reactor system 106 mayinclude a portion of a primary coolant loop 528 of the first nuclearreactor system 106. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, afirst heat transfer system 504 may transfer thermal energy from aportion of a primary coolant loop 528 of a first nuclear reactor system106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate alternative embodiments of the exampleoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 14 illustrates exampleembodiments where the first diverting operation 1010 may include atleast one additional operation. Additional operations may include anoperation 1402.

Operation 1402 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from at least one coolant pool of a first nuclear reactor systemof a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir using at least one heat transfer system. For example,as shown in FIG. 5B, the portion of the primary coolant system of thefirst nuclear reactor system 106 may include a portion of a primarycoolant pool 530, such as a liquid metal pool (e.g. liquid sodium) or aliquid metal salt pool (e.g., lithium fluoride pool), of the firstnuclear reactor system 106. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 1 through9D, a first heat transfer system 504 may transfer thermal energy from aportion of a primary coolant pool 530 of a first nuclear reactor system106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate alternative embodiments of the exampleoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 15 illustrates exampleembodiments where the first diverting operation 1010 may include atleast one additional operation. Additional operations may include anoperation 1502.

Operation 1502 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from a portion of at least one primary coolant system of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir, the at least one primary coolantsystem of the first nuclear reactor system in thermal communication withthe at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir and at least one secondarycoolant system of the first nuclear reactor system, the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir and the at least one secondary coolantsystem not in thermal communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 5C,the primary coolant system 526 of the first nuclear reactor system 106may include a primary coolant system 526 in thermal communication withboth an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and a secondary coolant system532 of the first nuclear reactor system 106, wherein the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 and the secondary coolant system 532 are not inthermal communication with each other. For instance, a first heattransfer system 504 may transfer thermal energy from a portion of aprimary coolant system 526 of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112, wherein the primary coolant system 526 is in thermalcommunication with both the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and asecondary coolant system 532 of the first nuclear reactor system 106,while the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and the at least one secondarycoolant 532 system are not in thermal communication.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate alternative embodiments of the exampleoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 16 illustrates exampleembodiments where the first diverting operation 1010 may include atleast one additional operation. Additional operations may include anoperation 1602.

Further, operation 1602 illustrates diverting a first selected portionof thermal energy from a portion of at least one primary coolant systemof a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir in thermal communication with the at leastone primary coolant system of the first nuclear reactor system and atleast one secondary coolant system of the first nuclear reactor system.For example, as shown in FIG. 5D, the primary coolant system 526 of thefirst nuclear reactor system 106 may include a primary coolant system inthermal communication with both an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and asecondary coolant system 532 of the first nuclear reactor system 106,wherein the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 is in thermal communicationwith the primary coolant system 526 of the nuclear reactor system 106and the secondary coolant system 532 of the nuclear reactor system 106.For instance, a first heat transfer system 504 may transfer thermalenergy from a portion of a primary coolant system 526 of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112, wherein the auxiliary thermal reservoir112 is in thermal communication with both the primary coolant system 526of the nuclear reactor system 106 and a secondary coolant system 532 ofthe nuclear reactor system 106.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate alternative embodiments of the exampleoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 17 illustrates exampleembodiments where the first diverting operation 1010 may include atleast one additional operation. Additional operations may include anoperation 1702, an operation 1704, and/or an operation 1706.

Further, the operation 1702 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one direct fluid exchangeheat transfer system. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a first energytransfer system 104 of a first nuclear reactor system 106 may include adirect fluid exchange heat transfer system 510. For instance, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 9D, a first direct fluid exchange system 510 maytransfer thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 1704 illustrates intermixing at least onereservoir fluid of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir with atleast one coolant of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems using at least one direct fluid exchange heattransfer system. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a first direct fluidexchange system 510 of a first nuclear reactor system 106 may include asystem configured to intermix 511 the reservoir fluid of an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 and the coolant of a nuclear reactor 108 of thefirst nuclear reactor system 106. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a system for intermixing 511 the reservoir fluid of anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and the reactor coolant of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102may transfer thermal energy from the first nuclear reactor system 106 tothe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 by directly mixing the two fluids.

Further, the operation 1706 illustrates intermixing at least onereservoir fluid of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir with atleast one coolant of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems using at least one direct fluid exchange heattransfer system, the at least one reservoir fluid substantially similarto the at least one coolant. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, theauxiliary thermal reservoir fluid and the coolant of the first nuclearreactor system 106 may be substantially similar 512. For instance, thereservoir fluid and the nuclear reactor coolant of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 mayboth comprise the same liquid metal, such as liquid sodium, liquid lead,or liquid lead bismuth. In another instance, the reservoir fluid and thenuclear reactor coolant may both comprise the same liquid organic, suchas diphenyl with diphenyl oxide.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate alternative embodiments of the exampleoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 18 illustrates exampleembodiments where the first diverting operation 1010 may include atleast one additional operation. Additional operations may include anoperation 1802.

Further, the operation 1802 illustrates intermixing at least onereservoir fluid of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir with atleast one coolant of at a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems using at least one direct fluid exchange heattransfer system, the at least one reservoir fluid different from the atleast one coolant. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the auxiliarythermal reservoir fluid and the coolant of the first nuclear reactorsystem 106 may be different 513. For instance, the reservoir fluid maycomprise a liquid organic fluid (e.g., diphenyl with diphenyl oxide),while the nuclear reactor coolant of a first nuclear reactor system 106of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems may comprise a liquid metalcoolant (e.g., liquid sodium, lead, or lead bismuth). Similarly, thereservoir fluid may comprise a first liquid metal coolant, such asliquid sodium, while the nuclear reactor coolant may comprise a secondliquid metal coolant, such as liquid lead.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate alternative embodiments of the exampleoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 19 illustrates exampleembodiments where the first diverting operation 1010 may include atleast one additional operation. Additional operations may include anoperation 1902, and/or an operation 1904.

Operation 1902 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoirusing at least one heat exchanger. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, afirst energy transfer system configured to transfer thermal energy 502may transfer thermal energy from a portion of the nuclear reactor system101 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 using one or morereactor-to-reservoir heat exchangers 514.

Further, operation 1904 illustrates diverting a first selected portionof thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir using at least one heat exchanger, a first portion of the atleast one heat exchanger in thermal communication with a portion of atleast one primary coolant system of the first nuclear reactor system anda second portion of the at least one heat exchanger in thermalcommunication with a portion of the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir. For example, the reactor-to-reservoir heat exchanger 514 mayinclude a heat exchanger 515 having a first portion in communicationwith a primary coolant system of the first nuclear reactor system 106and a second portion in thermal communication with an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112. For instance, the energy transfer system configured totransfer thermal energy 502 may transfer energy from the first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 using a heat exchanger 515 having afirst portion in communication with the primary coolant system of thefirst nuclear reactor system 106 and a second portion in thermalcommunication with the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 20 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 20 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2002, anoperation 2004, and/or an operation 2006.

Operation 2002 illustrates diverting a first selected portion ofelectrical energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir using at least one energy transfer system. For example, asshown in FIG. 5A, a first energy transfer system 104 may include anenergy transfer system configured to transfer electrical energy 503 froma portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., an energyconversion system 110 of the first nuclear reactor system 106) to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. For instance, an energy transfer systemconfigured to transfer electrical energy 503 from a first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may be used to transfer electricalenergy from a portion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat in the transfer process the electrical energy originating from aportion of the first nuclear reactor system 106 must be converted tothermal energy in order to be stored in the auxiliary thermal reservoir112.

Further, the operation 2004 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of electrical energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one electrical-to-thermalconversion system. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the energy transfersystem suitable for transferring electrical energy 503 from a firstnuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 mayinclude an electrical energy-to-thermal energy conversion device 516.For instance, an electrical energy-to-thermal energy conversion device516 may be used to convert electrical energy produced by a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102. The thermal energy may then be transferred to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 2006 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of electrical energy from at least one energy conversion systemof a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using at least oneelectrical-to-thermal conversion system. For example, as shown in FIG.5A, the energy transfer system suitable for transferring electricalenergy 503 from a first nuclear reactor system 106 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 may include an electrical energy-to-thermal energyconversion device configured to transfer electrical energy from anenergy conversion device 110 of the first nuclear reactor system 106 tothe auxiliary thermal reservoir 112. For instance, an electricalenergy-to-thermal energy conversion device configured to transferelectrical energy from an energy conversion device 110 to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 may be used to convert electrical energy from theelectrical output of an energy conversion device 110 (e.g.,turbine-generator system) of the first nuclear reactor system 106 tothermal energy. The thermal energy may then be transferred to theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 21 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 21 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2102, and/oran operation 2104.

Operation 2102 illustrates diverting a first selected portion ofelectrical energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir using at least one resistive heating device. For example, asshown in FIG. 5A, the electrical energy-to-thermal energy conversiondevice may include one or more than one resistive heating devices 517.For instance, a resistive heating device 517 may be utilized to convertelectrical energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to thermal energy. Thethermal energy may then be transferred to an auxiliary thermal reservoir112.

Further, the operation 2104 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of electrical energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one heating coil. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 5A, the resistive heating device 517 mayinclude one or more heating coils. For instance, a heating coil 518 maybe used to convert electrical energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 tothermal energy. The thermal energy may then be transferred to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 22 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 22 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2202, and/oran operation 2204.

Operation 2202 illustrates, responsive to at least one condition,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to a condition (e.g., power demands on anuclear reactor system, state of readiness of auxiliary thermalreservoir, thermal properties of nuclear reactor or thermal propertiesof reservoir), an energy transfer system responsive to a condition 802may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 2204 illustrates responsive to at least onecondition of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energyfrom a portion of the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to a condition of afirst nuclear reactor system, an energy transfer system responsive to acondition of the first nuclear reactor system 804 may initiate transferof energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

FIG. 23 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 23 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2302.

Operation 2302 illustrates, responsive to at least one condition of atleast one additional nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energyfrom a portion of the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to a condition ofan additional nuclear reactor system, an energy transfer systemresponsive to a condition of an additional nuclear reactor system 806,such as a 2^(nd) nuclear reactor system, a 3^(rd) nuclear reactorsystem, or up to and including an Nth nuclear reactor system, mayinitiate transfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 24 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 24 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2402.

Operation 2402 illustrates, responsive to determination of excesscapacity of at least one nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems, diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to thedetermination of excess capacity of at least one nuclear reactor system106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 (e.g., determinationthat current nuclear reactor power production exceeds current griddemand), an energy transfer system responsive to the determination ofexcess nuclear reactor capacity 808 may initiate transfer of energy froma portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 25 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 25 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2502, and/oran operation 2504.

Operation 2502 illustrates, responsive to at least one operation systemof at least one nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to an operationsystem (e.g., warning system, security system, or shutdown system) of anuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., first nuclear reactor system 106,second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to and including the Nthnuclear reactor system 106) of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, an energy transfer system responsive to an operation system 810 mayinitiate transfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 2504 illustrates, responsive to at least onemonitoring system of at least one nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems, diverting first a selected portion ofthermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to amonitoring system of a nuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., first nuclearreactor system 106, second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to andincluding the Nth nuclear reactor system 106) of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102, an energy transfer system responsive to amonitoring system 814 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion ofa first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 26 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 26 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2602.

Operation 2602 illustrates, responsive to at least one control system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to a control systemof a nuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., first nuclear reactor system 106,second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to and including the Nthnuclear reactor system 106) of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, an energy transfer system responsive to a control system 816 mayinitiate transfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 27 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 27 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2702.

Operation 2702 illustrates, responsive to at least one safety system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to a safety systemof a nuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., first nuclear reactor system 106,second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to and including the Nthnuclear reactor system 106) of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, an energy transfer system responsive to a safety system 818 mayinitiate transfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 28 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 28 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2802, and/oran operation 2804.

Operation 2802 illustrates, responsive to at least one signal from atleast one operation system of at least one nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems, diverting a first selected portionof thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, inresponse to a signal (e.g., a digital wireline signal, an analogwireline signal, a digital wireless signal, or an analog wirelesssignal) from an operation system of a nuclear reactor system 106 (e.g.,first nuclear reactor system 106, second nuclear reactor system 106, orup to and including the Nth nuclear reactor system 106) of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102, an energy transfer system responsive toa signal from an operation system 812 may initiate transfer of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 2804 illustrates, responsive to at least onesignal from at least one operation system of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems, diverting a firstselected portion of thermal energy from a portion of the first nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, in response to a signal from an operation system of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, an energy transfer system responsive to a signal from an operationsystem 812 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 29 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 29 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 2902.

Operation 2902 illustrates, responsive to at least one signal from atleast one operation system of at least one additional nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems, diverting a firstselected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, in response to a signal from an operation system of anadditional nuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., second nuclear reactorsystem 106, third nuclear reactor system, or up to an including the Nthnuclear reactor system 106) of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, an energy transfer system responsive to a signal from an operationsystem 812 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 30 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 30 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3002, and/oran operation 3004.

Operation 3002 illustrates, responsive to at least one reservoiroperation system of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, divertinga first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to theat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS.1 through 9D, in response to a reservoir operation system (e.g.,monitoring system, warning system, or control system) of an auxiliarythermal reservoir, an energy transfer system responsive to a reservoiroperation system 824 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 3004 illustrates, responsive to at least onesignal from at least one reservoir operation system of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting a first selected portion ofthermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, inresponse to a signal (e.g., a digital wireline signal, an analogwireline signal, a digital wireless signal, or an analog wirelesssignal) from a reservoir operation system of an auxiliary thermalreservoir, an energy transfer system responsive to a signal from areservoir operation system 826 may initiate transfer of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 31 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 31 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3102.

Operation 3102 illustrates, responsive to at least one reservoirmonitoring system of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, divertinga first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to theat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS.1 through 9D, in response to a reservoir monitoring system (e.g.,thermal monitoring system) of an auxiliary thermal reservoir, an energytransfer system responsive to a reservoir monitoring system 828 mayinitiate transfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 32 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 32 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3202.

Operation 3202 illustrates, responsive to at least one signal from atleast one operator of at least one nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems, diverting a first selected portion ofthermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response toat least one signal from an operator of a nuclear reactor system 106 ofa plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, an energy transfer systemresponsive to a signal (e.g., wireless or wireline signal) from anoperator 820 (e.g., human user or human controlled programmable computersystem) may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 33 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 33 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3302.

Further, the operation 3302 illustrates, upon a preselected diversionstart time, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, upon a preselected diversionstart time (e.g., absolute time or time of elapse relative to theoccurrence of a predetermined event), an energy transfer systemresponsive to a preselected diversion start time 822 may initiate thetransfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

FIG. 34 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 34 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3402, and/oran operation 3404.

Operation 3402 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown event of at leastone nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to a shutdown event of a nuclear reactorsystem 106 (e.g., first nuclear reactor system 106, second nuclearreactor system 106, or up to and including the Nth nuclear reactorsystem 106) of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, an energytransfer system responsive to a shutdown event 834 may initiate transferof energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

Further, the operation 3404 illustrates, responsive to a scheduledshutdown event of at least one nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems, diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from a portion of the first nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to ascheduled shutdown event (e.g., shutdown for routine maintenance) of anuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, an energy transfer system responsive to a scheduled shutdown event836 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 35 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 35 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3502.

Operation 3502 illustrates, responsive to an emergency shutdown event ofat least one nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to an emergencyshutdown event (e.g., SCRAM) of a nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, an energy transfer systemresponsive to an emergency shutdown event 838 may initiate transfer ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

FIG. 36 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 36 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3602.

Operation 3602 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown event of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion ofthe first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to a shutdown event of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, an energy transfer system responsive to a shutdown event 834 of thefirst nuclear reactor system 106 may initiate transfer of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 37 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 37 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3702.

Operation 3702 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown event of at leastone additional nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, in response to a shutdown eventof an additional nuclear reactor system 106 (e.g., the second nuclearreactor system, the third nuclear reactor system 106, or up to anincluding the Nth nuclear reactor system 106) of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102, an energy transfer system responsive to a shutdownevent 834 of the additional nuclear reactor system 106 may initiatetransfer of energy from a portion of the first nuclear reactor system106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 38 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 38 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3802.

Further, the operation 3802 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown eventof at least one nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, establishing thermal communication between a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems andat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS.1 through 9D, in response to a shutdown event of a nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102, an energytransfer system configured to establish thermal communication between afirst nuclear reactor system and an auxiliary thermal reservoir 840 mayestablish thermal communication between a portion of the first nuclearreactor system (e.g., primary coolant system) of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems and the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 39 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 39 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 3902.

Operation 3902 illustrates, preceding shutdown of at least one nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems, diverting afirst selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, prior to shutdown of a nuclear reactor 108 of a nuclearreactor system 106, an energy transfer system responsive to a shutdownevent 834 of the nuclear reactor system 106 may initiate the transfer ofenergy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 40 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 40 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4002, and/oran operation 4004.

Operation 4002 illustrates, during shutdown of at least one nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems, diverting afirst selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, during shutdown of a nuclear reactor 108 of a nuclearreactor system 106, an energy transfer system responsive to a shutdownevent 834 of the nuclear reactor system 106 may initiate the transfer ofenergy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 4004 illustrates, following shutdown of at leastone nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, following shutdown of a nuclear reactor 108 of anuclear reactor system 106, an energy transfer system responsive to ashutdown event 834 of the nuclear reactor system 106 may initiate thetransfer of energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

FIG. 41 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 41 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4102, and/oran operation 4104.

Operation 4102 illustrates, responsive to determination of the amount ofenergy stored in at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting afirst selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of the firstnuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems tothe at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system responsive todetermination of the amount of energy stored in an auxiliary thermalreservoir 842 may initiate the transfer of energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 4104 illustrates, responsive to determination ofthe percentage of energy stored in at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer systemresponsive to determination of the percentage of energy stored in anauxiliary thermal reservoir 844 may initiate the transfer of energy froma portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 42 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 42 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4202, and/oran operation 4204.

Operation 4202 illustrates, responsive to determination of the amount ofavailable energy storage capacity of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer systemresponsive to determination of the amount of available energy storagecapacity of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir 846 may initiatethe transfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 4204 illustrates, responsive to determination ofthe percentage of available energy storage capacity of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting a first selected portion ofthermal energy from a portion of the first nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, anenergy transfer system responsive to determination of the percentage ofavailable energy storage capacity of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir 848 may initiate the transfer of energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 43 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 43 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4302, and/oran operation 4304.

The operation 4302 illustrates diverting a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heat storagematerial of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfera selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass ofheat storage material 111 of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 4304 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one solidheat storage material of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104may transfer a selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102to a mass of a solid heat storage material 414, such a solid object(e.g., solid ceramic object, solid metal object, or solid stone object)or a particulate solid (e.g., sand), of an auxiliary thermal reservoir112.

FIG. 44 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 44 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4402, and/oran operation 4404.

Operation 4402 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one liquid heat storagematerial of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfera selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass ofliquid material 402 (e.g., liquid metal, liquid metal salt, liquidorganic, or liquid water) of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 4404 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one organicliquid heat storage material of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energytransfer system 104 may transfer a selected portion of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 to a mass of liquid organic material 404 (e.g.,diphenyl with diphenyl oxide) of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 45 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 45 illustrates example embodiments where thediverting operation 1010 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 4502.

Further, the operation 4502 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one liquidmetal salt heat storage material of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energytransfer system 104 may transfer a selected portion of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 to a mass of liquid metal salt 406 (e.g., lithiumfluoride) of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 46 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 46 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4602.

Operation 4602 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one liquid metal heatstorage material of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.]. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104may transfer a selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102to a mass of liquid metal 408 (e.g., sodium) of the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

FIG. 47 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 47 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4702.

Operation 4702 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to a mass of liquid water of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer a selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of liquid water 410of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 48 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 48 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4802.

Further, the operation 4802 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least onepressurized gaseous mass of material of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energytransfer system 104 may transfer a selected portion of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 to a mass of pressurized gaseous material 412 (e.g.,pressurized helium or pressurized carbon dioxide) of the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 49 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 49 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 4902.

Operation 4902 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one mixed phase materialof at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of amixed phase material 420 (e.g., steam water-liquid water) of theauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 50 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 50 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 5002.

Further, the operation 5002 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one materialof at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, the mass of at least onematerial having a phase transition within the operating temperature ofthe at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of amaterial having a phase transition within the operating temperature 422of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 51 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 51 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 5102, anoperation 5104, and/or an operation 5106.

Operation 5102 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heat storage materialcontained in a reservoir containment system. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass ofheat storage material 111 of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112contained in a reservoir containment system 424 (e.g., vessel).

Further, the operation 5104 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heatstorage material contained in at least one external vessel. For example,as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 maytransfer a selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to amass of heat storage material 111 of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112contained in an external vessel 426.

Further, the operation 5106 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heatstorage material contained in at least one external high pressure gasvessel. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfersystem 104 may transfer a selected portion of energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 to a mass of heat storage material 111 of an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 contained in a high pressure gas vessel 430. Forinstance, the energy transfer system 104 may transfer a selected portionof energy from a portion a first nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of high pressurizedgaseous helium contained in an external high pressure helium vessel.

FIG. 52 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 52 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 5202.

Operation 5202 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heat storage materialcontained in at least one external liquid vessel. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass ofheat storage material 111 of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112contained in an external liquid vessel 428. For instance, the energytransfer system 104 may transfer a selected portion of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems 102 to a mass of liquid water contained in an externalwater vessel.

FIG. 53 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 53 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 5302.

Further, the operation 5302 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heatstorage material contained in at least one external liquid pool. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, the energy transfer system 104may transfer a selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102to a mass of liquid heat storage material 402 of the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 contained in an external liquid pool 434. For instance,the energy transfer system 104 may transfer a selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 to a mass of liquid sodium contained in anexternal liquid sodium pool.

FIG. 54 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 54 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 5402.

Operation 5402 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, theat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir storing the selected portion ofenergy in the form of a temperature change in at least one heat storagematerial of the auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112, where the auxiliary thermal reservoir stores theenergy in the form of an increase in temperature of the heat storagematerial 436. For instance, the energy transferred to the auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 may cause a liquid heat storage material 402 toincrease in temperature from 100° C. to 200° C.

FIG. 55 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 55 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 1010 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 5502, and/or an operation 5504.

Operation 5502 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, theat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir storing the selected portion ofenergy in the form of a phase change in at least one heat storagematerial of the auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112, where the auxiliary thermal reservoir stores theenergy in the form of a phase change in the heat storage material 438.For instance, the energy transferred to the auxiliary thermal reservoir112 may cause a solid reservoir material to undergo a phase change intoa liquid reservoir material, where the energy is stored in the reservoirmaterial as a latent heat of transformation.

Further, the operation 5504 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir storing theselected portion of energy in the form of a solid-liquid phase change inat least one heat storage material of the auxiliary thermal reservoir.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system104 may transfer a selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112, where the auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 stores the energy in the form of a solid-liquid phasechange 440 (e.g., solid sodium-liquid sodium phase change).

FIG. 56 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 56 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 5602.

Operation 5602 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, theat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir storing the selected portion ofenergy in the form of a liquid-gas phase change in at least one heatstorage material of the auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, the energy transfer system 104 may transfera selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112, where the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 storesthe energy in the form of a liquid-gas phase change 442 (e.g., liquidwater-steam water phase change).

FIG. 57 illustrates an operational flow 5700 representing exampleoperations related to the storage and utilization of energy generated bya plurality of nuclear reactor systems. FIG. 57 illustrates an exampleembodiment where the example operational flow 1000 of FIG. 10 mayinclude at least one additional operation. Additional operations mayinclude an operation 5710, and/or an operation 5712.

After a start operation, a first diverting operation 1010, an additionaldiverting operation 1020, and a supplying operation 1030, theoperational flow 5700 moves to a temperature maintaining operation 5710.Operation 5710 illustrates maintaining the temperature of at least oneheat storage material of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir abovea selected temperature. For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, thetemperature of a heat storage material 111 of an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 may be maintained with a reservoir temperature controlsystem 454 (e.g., thermostat).

The operation 5712 illustrates maintaining the temperature of at leastone heat storage material of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoirabove the melting temperature of the at least one heat storage material.For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, the temperature of a heat storagematerial 111 of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may be maintainedwith a reservoir temperature control system 454 above a specifiedtemperature, such as the melting temperature of the heat storagematerial 111.

FIG. 58 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 58 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 5802, and/oran operation 5804.

The operation 5802 illustrates diverting a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems having at least one liquid coolant. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first liquid cooled 302nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 5804 illustrates diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems having at least one liquid metal salt coolant. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104may transfer a selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstliquid metal salt (e.g., lithium fluoride or other fluoride salts)cooled 304 nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 59 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 59 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 5902.

Operation 5902 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, thefirst nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemshaving at least one liquid metal coolant. For example, as shown in FIGS.1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer a selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first liquid metal (e.g., liquidsodium or liquid lead) cooled 306 nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

FIG. 60 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 60 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 6002.

Operation 6002 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, thefirst nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemshaving at least one liquid organic coolant. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first liquid organic(e.g., diphenyl with diphenyl oxide) cooled 308 nuclear reactor system106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 61 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 61 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 6102.

Operation 6102 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, thefirst nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemshaving at least one liquid water coolant. For example, as shown in FIGS.1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer a selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first liquid water cooled 310nuclear reactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 62 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 62 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 6202, and/oran operation 6204.

Operation 6202 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, thefirst nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemshaving at least one pressurized gas coolant. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first pressurized gas(e.g., pressurized helium or carbon dioxide) cooled 312 nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112.

The operation 6204 illustrates diverting a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems having at least one mixed phase coolant. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first mixed phase (e.g.,liquid water-steam water) cooled 314 nuclear reactor system 106 of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

FIG. 63 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 63 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 6302, and/oran operation 6304.

Operation 6302 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, atleast one of the nuclear reactor systems of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems having a thermal spectrum nuclear reactor. For example,as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 maytransfer a selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 202, whereat least one of the nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., the first nuclearreactor system 106, the second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to andincluding the Nth nuclear reactor system 106) of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 includes a thermal spectrum nuclear reactor202.

The operation 6304 illustrates diverting a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,at least one of the nuclear reactor systems of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems having a fast spectrum nuclear reactor. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfera selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 202, where at leastone of the nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., the first nuclear reactorsystem 106, the second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to andincluding the Nth nuclear reactor system 106) of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 includes a fast spectrum nuclear reactor204.

FIG. 64 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 64 illustrates example embodiments where thediverting operation 1010 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 6402, and/or an operation6404.

Operation 6402 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, atleast one of the nuclear reactor systems of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems having a multi-spectrum nuclear reactor. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfera selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 202, where at leastone of the nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., the first nuclear reactorsystem 106, the second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to andincluding the Nth nuclear reactor system 106) of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 includes a multi-spectrum nuclear reactor206.

The operation 6404 illustrates diverting a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,at least one of the nuclear reactor systems of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems having a breeder nuclear reactor. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfer aselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 202, where at leastone of the nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., the first nuclear reactorsystem 106, the second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to andincluding the Nth nuclear reactor system 106) of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 includes a breeder nuclear reactor 208.

FIG. 65 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 65 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 6502.

Operation 6502 illustrates diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, atleast one of the nuclear reactor systems of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems having a traveling wave nuclear reactor. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, an energy transfer system 104 may transfera selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem 106 of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems 202, where at leastone of the nuclear reactor systems 106 (e.g., the first nuclear reactorsystem 106, the second nuclear reactor system 106, or up to andincluding the Nth nuclear reactor system 106) of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102 includes a traveling wave nuclear reactor210.

FIG. 66 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 66 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 6602, and/or an operation6604.

Operation 6602 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from a first auxiliary thermal reservoir and a portion of thermalenergy from at least a second thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, thermal energy stored in a first auxiliary reservoir 112 andthermal energy stored in an additional thermal reservoir (e.g., secondthermal reservoir, third thermal reservoir, or up to and including anNth thermal reservoir) may be supplied to an energy conversion system110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102. For instance, a first heat supply system 114 may supplythermal energy stored in the first auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to anenergy conversion system 110 and a second heat supply system 114 maysupply thermal energy stored in the second auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to the energy conversion system 110.

Further, the operation 6604 illustrates supplying at least a portion ofthermal energy from a first auxiliary thermal reservoir and a portion ofthermal energy from at least a second thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems, the first auxiliary thermalreservoir and the at least a second thermal reservoir not in thermalcommunication. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, thermalenergy stored in a first auxiliary reservoir 112 and thermal energystored in an additional thermal reservoir (e.g., second thermalreservoir, third thermal reservoir, or up to and including an Nththermal reservoir) may be supplied to an energy conversion system 110 ofa nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, wherein the first thermal reservoir 112 and the second thermalreservoir 112 are not in thermal communication.

FIG. 67 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 67 illustrates example embodiments where thesupply operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 6702.

Operation 6702 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from a first auxiliary thermal reservoir and a portion of thermalenergy from at least a second thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems, the first auxiliary thermalreservoir and the at least a second thermal reservoir in thermalcommunication. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, thermalenergy stored in a first auxiliary reservoir 112 and thermal energystored in an additional thermal reservoir (e.g., second thermalreservoir, third thermal reservoir, or up to and including an Nththermal reservoir) may be supplied to an energy conversion system 110 ofa nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102, wherein the first thermal reservoir 112 and the second thermalreservoir 112 are in thermal communication. It will be recognized bythose skilled in the art that even though the first thermal reservoir110 and the second thermal reservoir 110 are thermally coupled the tworeservoirs can for practical purposes be treated as two distinct thermalreservoirs under non-steady state conditions.

FIG. 68 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 68 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 6802, and/or an operation6804.

The operation 6802 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems using at least one heat supplysystem. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supplysystem 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110(e.g., topping cycle 226 or turbine 218) of a nuclear reactor system 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 6804 illustrates supplying at least a portion ofthermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to atleast one energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems using at least oneheat exchange loop. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inan auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofa nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 via one or more heat exchange loops 602.

FIG. 69 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 69 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 6902.

Operation 6902 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems using at least one heat exchangepipe. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 viaone or more heat pipes 604.

FIG. 70 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 70 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7002.

Operation 7002 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems using at least one heat exchanger.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system 114may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 viaone or more heat exchangers 606. For instance, a first portion of a heatexchanger 606 may be in thermal communication with an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112, while the second portion of the heat exchanger 606 may bein thermal communication with an energy conversion system 110 of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

FIG. 71 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 71 illustrates example embodiments where thesupply operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7102.

Operation 7102 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems using at least one thermoelectricdevice. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supplysystem 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102 via one or more thermoelectric devices 608. For instance, a firstportion of a thermoelectric device 608 may be in thermal communicationwith an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 and a second portion of thethermoelectric device 608 may be in thermal communication with a heatsink (e.g., environmental heat sink) of a nuclear reactor system 106 ofthe plurality of the nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 72 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 72 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7202, and/or an operation7204.

Operation 7202 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneprimary energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor systemof the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to a primaryenergy conversion system 212 (e.g., energy conversion system coupled tothe primary boiling loop) of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

The operation 7204 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneauxiliary energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system 114 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an auxiliary energy conversion system 214 (e.g., energyconversion system coupled to a non-primary boiling) of a nuclear reactorsystem 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 73 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 73 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7302, and/or an operation7304.

Operation 7302 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneemergency energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system 114 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an emergency energy conversion system 216 (e.g., energyconversion system supplying electric power to various operation systemsof the nuclear reactor system) of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

The operation 7304 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneboiling loop of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, aheat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy storedin an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to a boiling loop 232 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 74 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 74 illustrates example embodiments where thesupply operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7402, and/or an operation7404.

The operation 7402 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneturbine of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, aheat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy storedin an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to a turbine 218 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 7404 illustrates [supplying at least a portion ofthermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to atleast one working fluid of at least one turbine of at least one nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example,as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system 114 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to the working fluid of a turbine 224 of a nuclear reactor system106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 75 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 75 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7502, and/or an operation7504.

The operation 7502 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least onelow grade heat dump. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inan auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to a low grade heat dump 230 of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

The operation 7504 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least onetopping cycle. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inan auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to a topping cycle 226 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 76 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 76 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7602, and/or an operation7604.

The operation 7602 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least onebottoming cycle. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heatsupply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inan auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to a bottoming cycle 228 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

The operation 7604 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of the first nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a heat supply system 114 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a first nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 77 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 77 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7702.

The operation 7702 illustrates supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of the at least one additional nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system 114 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an energy conversion system 110 of an additional nuclear reactorsystem 106 (e.g., a second nuclear reactor system 106, a third nuclearreactor system 106 or up to and including an Nth nuclear reactor system106) of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 78 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 78 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7802, an operation 7804,and/or an operation 7806.

The operation 7802 illustrates, responsive to at least one condition,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supplysystem responsive to a condition 902 (e.g., grid demand, thermalproperties of one or more of the auxiliary thermal reservoirs) maysupply a portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 to an energy conversion system of a nuclear reactor system106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 7804 illustrates, responsive to at least onecondition of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems, supplying at least a portion of thermal energyfrom the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a heat supply system responsive to a condition of one ormore of the nuclear reactor systems 904 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 7806 illustrates, responsive to heightened powerdemand on at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems, supplying at least a portion of thermal energyfrom the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a heat supply system responsive to heightened power demandof one or more of the nuclear reactor systems 906 may supply a portionof the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to anenergy conversion system of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 79 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 79 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 7902, and/or an operation7904.

Operation 7902 illustrates, responsive to at least one operation systemof at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from theat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a heat supply system responsive to an operation system(e.g., monitoring system, control system, safety system, or securitysystem) of a nuclear reactor system 922 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 7904 illustrates, responsive to at least onesignal from at least one operation system of at least one nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying atleast a portion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at leastone nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply systemresponsive to a signal (e.g., wireless or wireline) from an operationsystem of a nuclear reactor system 924 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 80 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 80 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8002, and/or an operation8004.

Operation 8002 illustrates, responsive to at least one reservoiroperation system of the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supplysystem responsive to a reservoir operation system 926 (e.g., reservoirmonitoring system, reservoir control system, or reservoir safety system)may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 8004 illustrates responsive to at least onesignal from at least one reservoir operation system of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir, supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a heat supply system responsive to a signal (e.g., wirelessor wireline) from a reservoir operation system 928 may supply a portionof the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to anenergy conversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 81 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 81 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8102, and/or an operation8104.

Operation 8102 illustrates, responsive to at least one operator of atleast one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, aheat supply system responsive to an operator (e.g., human or humanprogrammed computer control system) of a nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 930 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 8104 illustrates responsive to at least onesignal from at least one operator of at least one nuclear reactor systemof the plurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying at least aportion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system responsiveto a signal from an operator of a nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 932 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 82 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 82 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8202, and/or an operation8204.

Operation 8202 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown event of at leastone nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supplysystem responsive to a shutdown event of a nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 908 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 8204 illustrates, responsive to a scheduledshutdown event of at least one nuclear reactor system of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems, supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a heat supply system responsive to a scheduled shutdownevent (e.g., shutdown for routine maintenance) of a nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 912 may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 83 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 83 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8302.

Operation 8302 illustrates, responsive to an emergency shutdown event ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, aheat supply system responsive to an emergency shutdown event (e.g.,SCRAM) of a nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 910 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

FIG. 84 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 84 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8402.

Operation 8402 illustrates, preceding shutdown of at least one nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying atleast a portion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at leastone nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, preceding the shutdown of anuclear reactor system 106, a heat supply system responsive to ashutdown event of a nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 908 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inan auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofa nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

FIG. 85 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 85 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8502.

Operation 8502 illustrates, following shutdown of at least one nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying atleast a portion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at leastone nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, following the shutdown of anuclear reactor system 106, a heat supply system responsive to ashutdown event of a nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems 908 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inan auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofa nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

FIGS. 86A and 86B illustrate alternative embodiments of the exampleoperational flow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 86 illustrates exampleembodiments where the supplying operation 1030 may include at least oneadditional operation. Additional operations may include an operation8602, an operation 8604, an operation 8606, and/or an operation 8608.

Operation 8602 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown event establishedby at least one operation system of at least one nuclear reactor systemof the plurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying at least aportion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system responsiveto a shutdown event of a nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems established by an operation system of a nuclearreactor system 914 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored inan auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 ofa nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

Further, the operation 8604 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown eventestablished by at least one reactor control system of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supplysystem responsive to a shutdown event of a nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems established by a reactor controlsystem of a nuclear reactor system 916 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 8606 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown eventestablished by at least one reactor control system responsive to atleast one signal from at least one safety system of at least one nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying atleast a portion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at leastone nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply systemresponsive to a shutdown event of a nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems established by a reactor controlsystem that is responsive to a safety system of a nuclear reactor system918 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 8608 illustrates, responsive to a shutdown eventestablished by at least one reactor control system responsive to atleast one signal from at least one safety system of at least one nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems, the safetysystem responsive to at least one sensed condition, supplying at least aportion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system 920responsive to a shutdown event of a nuclear reactor system establishedby a reactor control system that is responsive to a safety system, wherethe safety system is responsive to a sensed condition (e.g., externalcondition or internal condition) of a nuclear reactor system, may supplya portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 87 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 87 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8702.

Operation 8702 illustrates, upon a pre-selected supply start time,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supplysystem responsive to the elapse of a preselected supply start time 934(e.g., time of elapse measured relative to the initiation of a nuclearreactor system or system shutdown event or absolute time) may supply aportion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 88 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 88 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8802, and/or an operation8804.

Further, the operation 8802 illustrates, responsive to determination ofthe amount of energy stored in at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supplysystem responsive to determination of the amount of energy stored in anauxiliary thermal reservoir 936 may supply a portion of the thermalenergy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 8804 illustrates, responsive to determination ofthe percentage of energy stored in at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, aheat supply system responsive to determination of the percentage ofenergy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 938 may supply a portionof the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to anenergy conversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 89 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 89 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 8902, and/or an operation8904.

Operation 8902 illustrates, responsive to determination of the amount ofavailable energy storage capacity of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, aheat supply system responsive to determination of the amount ofavailable energy storage capacity of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 940may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 8904 illustrates, responsive to determination ofthe percentage of available energy storage capacity of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir, supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a heat supply system responsive to determination of thepercentage of available energy storage capacity of an auxiliary thermalreservoir 942 may supply a portion of the thermal energy stored in anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of anuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems102.

FIG. 90 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 90 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 9002, and/or an operation9004.

The operation 9002 illustrates supplying a specified portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, a heat supply system suitable for supplying a specifiedportion of the energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir to anenergy conversion system 944 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 may initiate the transfer of aportion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

Further, the operation 9004 illustrates supplying a specified percentageof thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir toat least one energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, a heat supply system suitable for supplyinga specified percentage of the energy stored in an auxiliary thermalreservoir to an energy conversion system 946 of a nuclear reactor system106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 may initiate thetransfer of a portion of the thermal energy stored in an auxiliarythermal reservoir 112 to an energy conversion system 110 of a nuclearreactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 91 illustrates an operational flow 9100 representing exampleoperations related to storage and utilization of energy generated by aplurality of nuclear reactor systems. FIG. 91 illustrates an exampleembodiment where the example operational flow 1000 of FIG. 10 mayinclude at least one additional operation. Additional operations mayinclude an operation 9110, and/or an operation 9112.

After a start operation, a first diverting operation 1010, an additionaldiverting operation 1020, and a supplying operation 1030, theoperational flow 9100 moves to a supplementing operation 9110. Operation9110 illustrates supplementing the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir with an additional portion of thermal energy from at least oneadditional energy source. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the thermalenergy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may be supplementedwith an additional portion of energy transferred from an additionalenergy source 702, such as a non-nuclear energy source (e.g., coalpowered generator, diesel powered generator, or solar cell array) via asupplementary energy transfer system 706.

The operation 9112 illustrates supplementing the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir with an additional portion of energy from at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems. For example, as shown in FIG. 7,the thermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may besupplemented with an additional portion of energy transferred from anenergy conversion device 110 of a nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 the via a supplementary energytransfer system 706.

FIG. 92 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 92 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 9202.

Operation 9202 illustrates, responsive to at least one reservoir controlsystem of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting a firstselected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, in response to a reservoir control system (e.g., thermalcontrol system) of an auxiliary thermal reservoir, an energy transfersystem responsive to a reservoir control system 830 may initiatetransfer of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system 106of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems 102 to an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112.

FIG. 93 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 93 illustrates example embodiments where thefirst diverting operation 1010 may include at least one additionaloperation. Additional operations may include an operation 9302.

Operation 9302 illustrates, responsive to at least one reservoir safetysystem of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting a firstselected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 9D, in response to a reservoir safety system of an auxiliarythermal reservoir, an energy transfer system responsive to a reservoirsafety system 832 may initiate transfer of energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system 106 of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems 102 to an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 94 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 94 illustrates example embodiments where thesupplying operation 1030 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 9402.

Further, the operation 9402 illustrates, during shutdown of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9D, during theshutdown of a nuclear reactor system 106, a heat supply systemresponsive to a shutdown event of a nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems 908 may supply a portion of thethermal energy stored in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 to an energyconversion system 110 of a nuclear reactor system 106 of the pluralityof nuclear reactor systems 102.

FIG. 95 illustrates an operational flow 9500 representing exampleoperations related to storage and utilization of energy generated by aplurality of nuclear reactor systems. FIG. 95 illustrates an exampleembodiment where the example operational flow 1000 of FIG. 10 mayinclude at least one additional operation. Additional operations mayinclude an operation 9510, an operation 9512, and/or an operation 9514.

After a start operation, a first diverting operation 1010, an additionaldiverting operation 1020, and a supplying operation 1030, theoperational flow 9500 moves to a monitoring operation 9510. Operation9510 illustrates monitoring at least one condition of the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, acondition, such as the operational status (e.g., state of readiness,temperature pressure, or storage capacity), of an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 may be monitored.

Further, the operation 9512 illustrates monitoring at least onecondition of the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using at leastone reservoir monitoring system. For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, areservoir monitoring system 444 maybe used to monitor a condition of anauxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Further, the operation 9514 illustrates monitoring the temperature ofthe at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown inFIG. 4D, a reservoir temperature monitoring system 446 maybe used tomonitor the temperature of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 96 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 9500 of FIG. 95. FIG. 96 illustrates example embodiments where themonitoring operation 9510 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 9602, and/or an operation9604.

The operation 9602 illustrates monitoring the pressure of the at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, areservoir pressure monitoring system 448 maybe used to monitor thepressure of an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

The operation 9604 illustrates determining the amount of energy storedin the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. For example, as shownin FIG. 4D, a system configured to determine the amount of stored energy450 in an auxiliary thermal reservoir 112 may be utilized to monitor theenergy storage level in the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

FIG. 97 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 9500 of FIG. 95. FIG. 97 illustrates example embodiments where themonitoring operation 9510 may include at least one additional operation.Additional operations may include an operation 9702.

The operation 9702 illustrates determining the amount of availableenergy storage capacity in the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, a system configured to determine theamount of available energy storage capacity 452 in an auxiliary thermalreservoir 112 may be utilized to monitor the available energy storagecapacity of the auxiliary thermal reservoir 112.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/orother technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware,software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will varywith the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or othertechnologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determinesthat speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for amainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibilityis paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

In some implementations described herein, logic and similarimplementations may include software or other control structures.Electronic circuitry, for example, may have one or more paths ofelectrical current constructed and arranged to implement variousfunctions as described herein. In some implementations, one or moremedia may be configured to bear a device-detectable implementation whensuch media hold or transmit device-detectable instructions operable toperform as described herein. In some variants, for example,implementations may include an update or modification of existingsoftware or firmware, or of gate arrays or programmable hardware, suchas by performing a reception of or a transmission of one or moreinstructions in relation to one or more operations described herein.Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, an implementation mayinclude special-purpose hardware, software, firmware components, and/orgeneral-purpose components executing or otherwise invokingspecial-purpose components. Specifications or other implementations maybe transmitted by one or more instances of tangible transmission mediaas described herein, optionally by packet transmission or otherwise bypassing through distributed media at various times.

Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing aspecial-purpose instruction sequence or invoking circuitry for enabling,triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing one or moreoccurrences of virtually any functional operations described herein. Insome variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may beexpressed as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked as anexecutable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example,implementations may be provided, in whole or in part, by source code,such as C++, or other code sequences. In other implementations, sourceor other code implementation, using commercially available and/ortechniques in the art, may be compiled//implemented/translated/converted into a high-level descriptor language(e.g., initially implementing described technologies in C or C++programming language and thereafter converting the programming languageimplementation into a logic-synthesizable language implementation, ahardware description language implementation, a hardware designsimulation implementation, and/or other such similar mode(s) ofexpression). For example, some or all of a logical expression (e.g.,computer programming language implementation) may be manifested as aVerilog-type hardware description (e.g., via Hardware DescriptionLanguage (HDL) and/or Very High Speed Integrated Circuit HardwareDescriptor Language (VHDL)) or other circuitry model which may then beused to create a physical implementation having hardware (e.g., anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit). Those skilled in the art willrecognize how to obtain, configure, and optimize suitable transmissionor computational elements, material supplies, actuators, or otherstructures in light of these teachings.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light ofthis disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious embodiments described herein can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systemshaving a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software,firmware, and/or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range ofcomponents that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigidbodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, electro-magneticallyactuated devices, and/or virtually any combination thereof.Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, butis not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with atransducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, a MicroElectro Mechanical System (MEMS), etc.), electrical circuitry having atleast one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory(e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), electrical circuitryforming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch,optical-electrical equipment, etc.), and/or any non-electrical analogthereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art willalso appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include butare not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, medicaldevices, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems,factory automation systems, security systems, and/orcommunication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to asystem that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except ascontext may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious aspects described herein which can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware,and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed ofvarious types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein“electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electricalcircuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electricalcircuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitryhaving at least one application specific integrated circuit, electricalcircuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by acomputer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by acomputer program which at least partially carries out processes and/ordevices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computerprogram which at least partially carries out processes and/or devicesdescribed herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g.,forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/orelectrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem,communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those havingskill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described hereinmay be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combinationthereof.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of thedevices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a dataprocessing system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that adata processing system generally includes one or more of a system unithousing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatilememory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors,computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphicaluser interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interactiondevices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/orcontrol systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g.,feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for movingand/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A data processing systemmay be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components,such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/ornetwork computing/communication systems.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein describedcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussionaccompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptualclarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated.Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and theaccompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their moregeneral classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended tobe representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specificcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be takenlimiting.

Although a user is shown/described herein as a single illustratedfigure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the user may berepresentative of a human user, a robotic user (e.g., computationalentity), and/or substantially any combination thereof (e.g., a user maybe assisted by one or more robotic agents) unless context dictatesotherwise. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in general,the same may be said of “sender” and/or other entity-oriented terms assuch terms are used herein unless context dictates otherwise.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelesslyinteracting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logicallyinteractable components.

In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as“configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,”“adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that such terms (e.g., “configuredto”) can generally encompass active-state components and/orinactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unlesscontext requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to claims containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art willappreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed inany order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in asequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may beperformed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may beperformed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may includeoverlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental,preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variantorderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like“responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives aregenerally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictatesotherwise.

1. A method, comprising: diverting a first selected portion of energyfrom a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir;diverting at least one additional selected portion of energy from aportion of at least one additional nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir; and supplying at least a portion of thermal energyfrom the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled) 4.(canceled)
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the diverting a firstselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir using at least one energy transfer system.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the diverting a first selected portion of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using atleast one energy transfer system comprises: diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one energy transfer system.7. The method of claim 6, wherein the diverting a first selected portionof thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir using at least one energy transfer system comprises: divertinga first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one heat transfersystem.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled) 12.(canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. The method of claim 7,wherein the diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using atleast one heat transfer system comprises: diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one direct fluid exchangeheat transfer system.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the divertinga first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one direct fluidexchange heat transfer system comprises: intermixing at least onereservoir fluid of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir with atleast one coolant of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems using at least one direct fluid exchange heattransfer system.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. The method of claim7, wherein the diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy froma portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using atleast one heat transfer system comprises: diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one heat exchanger. 20.(canceled)
 21. The method of claim 5, wherein the diverting a firstselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one energy transfer systemcomprises: diverting a first selected portion of electrical energy froma portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using atleast one energy transfer system.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe diverting a first selected portion of electrical energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir using atleast one energy transfer system comprises: diverting a first selectedportion of electrical energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one electrical-to-thermalconversion system.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the diverting afirst selected portion of electrical energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir using at least oneelectrical-to-thermal conversion system comprises: diverting a firstselected portion of electrical energy from at least one energyconversion system of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoirusing at least one electrical-to-thermal conversion system. 24.(canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein thesupplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems comprises: supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from afirst auxiliary thermal reservoir and a portion of thermal energy fromat least a second thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems.
 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the supplying at least a portion of thermal energy fromthe at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems comprises: supplying at least aportion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems usingat least one heat supply system.
 30. (canceled)
 31. (canceled) 32.(canceled)
 33. (canceled)
 34. (canceled)
 35. (canceled)
 36. (canceled)37. (canceled)
 38. (canceled)
 39. (canceled)
 40. (canceled) 41.(canceled)
 42. (canceled)
 43. The method of claim 1, further comprising:supplementing the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir with anadditional portion of thermal energy from at least one additional energysource.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the supplementing the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir with an additional portion ofthermal energy from at least one additional energy source comprises:supplementing the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir with anadditional portion of energy from at least one energy conversion systemof at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems.
 45. The method of claim 1, wherein the diverting afirst selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: responsive to at least onecondition, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 46. Themethod of claim 45, wherein the, responsive to at least one condition,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: responsive to atleast one condition of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems, diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from a portion of the first nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir.
 47. The method of claim 45, wherein the, responsive to atleast one condition, diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoircomprises: responsive to at least one condition of at least oneadditional nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of the first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 48. Themethod of claim 45, wherein the, responsive to at least one condition,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: responsive todetermination of excess capacity of at least one nuclear reactor systemof a plurality of nuclear reactor systems, diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir.
 49. The method of claim 45, wherein the,responsive to at least one condition, diverting a first selected portionof thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir comprises: responsive to at least one operation system of atleast one nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. 50.(canceled)
 51. (canceled)
 52. (canceled)
 53. The method of claim 49,wherein the, responsive to at least one operation system of at least onenuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: responsive to atleast one signal from at least one operation system of at least onenuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 54. (canceled) 55.(canceled)
 56. The method of claim 45, wherein the, responsive to atleast one condition, diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoircomprises: responsive to at least one reservoir operation system of atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting a first selectedportion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir.
 57. The method of claim 56, wherein the,responsive to at least one reservoir operation system of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting a first selected portion ofthermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir comprises: responsive to at least one signal from atleast one reservoir operation system of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. 58.(canceled)
 59. (canceled)
 60. (canceled)
 61. The method of claim 45,wherein the, responsive to at least one condition, diverting a firstselected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: responsive to at least one signalfrom at least one operator of at least one nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems, diverting a first selected portionof thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir.
 62. The method of claim 45, wherein the, responsive to atleast one condition, diverting a first selected portion of thermalenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoircomprises: upon a pre-selected diversion start time, diverting a firstselected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir.
 63. The method of claim 45, wherein the,responsive to at least one condition, diverting a first selected portionof thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir comprises: responsive to a shutdown event of at least onenuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 64. (canceled) 65.(canceled)
 66. (canceled)
 67. (canceled)
 68. The method of claim 63,wherein the, responsive to a shutdown event of at least one nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems, diverting afirst selected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: responsive to ashutdown event of at least one nuclear reactor system of a plurality ofnuclear reactor systems, establishing thermal communication between aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems and at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. 69.(canceled)
 70. (canceled)
 71. (canceled)
 72. The method of claim 45,wherein the, responsive to at least one condition, diverting a firstselected portion of thermal energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: responsive to determination ofthe amount of energy stored in at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from a portion ofthe first nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 73. (canceled)74. The method of claim 45, wherein the, responsive to at least onecondition, diverting a first selected portion of thermal energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises:responsive to determination of the amount of available energy storagecapacity of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting a firstselected portion of thermal energy from a portion of the first nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems to the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 75. (canceled)
 76. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the supplying at least a portion of thermal energy fromthe at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems comprises: supplying at least aportion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir to at least one energy conversion system of the first nuclearreactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.
 77. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the supplying at least a portion of thermalenergy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least oneenergy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems comprises: supplying at least aportion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir to at least one energy conversion system of the at least oneadditional nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems.
 78. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying at least aportion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemscomprises: responsive to at least one condition, supplying at least aportion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems. 79.The method of claim 78, wherein the, responsive to at least onecondition, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems comprises: responsive to at least one conditionof at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from theat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems.
 80. The method of claim 79,wherein the, responsive to at least one condition of at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems comprises: responsive to heightened power demand on at least onenuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems.
 81. The method of claim 78, wherein the, responsive to at leastone condition, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from theat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems comprises: responsive to at leastone operation system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying at least a portion ofthermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to atleast one energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.
 82. (canceled) 83.The method of claim 78, wherein the, responsive to at least onecondition, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems comprises: responsive to at least one reservoiroperation system of the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir,supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system ofat least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems.
 84. (canceled)
 85. The method of claim 78, wherein the,responsive to at least one condition, supplying at least a portion ofthermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to atleast one energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems comprises: responsiveto at least one operator of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying at least a portion ofthermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to atleast one energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.
 86. (canceled) 87.The method of claim 78, wherein the, responsive to at least onecondition, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems comprises: responsive to a shutdown event of atleast one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems.
 88. (canceled)
 89. (canceled)
 90. (canceled)91. (canceled)
 92. (canceled)
 93. The method of claim 87, wherein the,responsive to a shutdown event of at least one nuclear reactor system ofthe plurality of nuclear reactor systems, supplying at least a portionof thermal energy from the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir toat least one energy conversion system of at least one nuclear reactorsystem of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems comprises: responsiveto a shutdown event established by at least one operation system of atleast one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactorsystems, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems.
 94. (canceled)
 95. (canceled)
 96. (canceled)97. The method of claim 78, wherein the, responsive to at least onecondition, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems comprises: upon a pre-selected supply starttime, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion systemof at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclearreactor systems.
 98. The method of claim 78, wherein the, responsive toat least one condition, supplying at least a portion of thermal energyfrom the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems comprises: responsive todetermination of the amount of energy stored in at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir, supplying at least a portion of thermal energy fromthe at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energyconversion system of at least one nuclear reactor system of theplurality of nuclear reactor systems.
 99. (canceled)
 100. The method ofclaim 78, wherein the, responsive to at least one condition, supplyingat least a portion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at leastone nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemscomprises: responsive to determination of the amount of available energystorage capacity of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, supplyingat least a portion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at leastone nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems.101. (canceled)
 102. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying atleast a portion of thermal energy from the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir to at least one energy conversion system of at leastone nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemscomprises: supplying a specified portion of thermal energy from the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir to at least one energy conversionsystem of at least one nuclear reactor system of the plurality ofnuclear reactor systems.
 103. (canceled)
 104. The method of claim 1,further comprising: monitoring at least one condition of the at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 105. The method of claim 104, whereinthe monitoring at least one condition of the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir comprises: monitoring at least one condition of the atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir using at least one reservoirmonitoring system.
 106. The method of claim 104, wherein the monitoringat least one condition of the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoircomprises: monitoring the temperature of the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir.
 107. The method of claim 104, wherein the monitoringat least one condition of the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoircomprises: monitoring the pressure of the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir.
 108. The method of claim 104, wherein the monitoring at leastone condition of the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises:determining the amount of energy stored in the at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir.
 109. The method of claim 104, wherein the monitoringat least one condition of the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoircomprises: determining the amount of available energy storage capacityin the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 110. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the diverting a first selected portion of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises:diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to amass of at least one heat storage material of at least one auxiliarythermal reservoir.
 111. The method of claim 110, wherein the diverting afirst selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclearreactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of atleast one heat storage material of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir comprises: diverting a first selected portion of energy from aportion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to a mass of at least one solid heat storage material ofat least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 112. The method of claim 110,wherein the diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portionof a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to a mass of at least one heat storage material of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one liquidheat storage material of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir. 113.(canceled)
 114. (canceled)
 115. (canceled)
 116. (canceled)
 117. Themethod of claim 110, wherein the diverting a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heat storagematerial of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises:diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to amass of at least one pressurized gaseous mass of material of at leastone auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 118. The method of claim 110, whereinthe diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of afirst nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systemsto a mass of at least one heat storage material of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir comprises: diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one mixedphase material of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir.
 119. Themethod of claim 110, wherein the diverting a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heat storagematerial of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir comprises:diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to amass of at least one material of at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, the mass of at least one material having a phase transitionwithin the operating temperature of the at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir.
 120. The method of claim 110, wherein the diverting a firstselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at leastone heat storage material of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoircomprises: diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portionof a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to a mass of at least one heat storage material contained in areservoir containment system.
 121. The method of claim 120, wherein thediverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to amass of at least one heat storage material contained in a reservoircontainment system comprises: diverting a first selected portion ofenergy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a pluralityof nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at least one heat storagematerial contained in at least one external vessel.
 122. (canceled) 123.(canceled)
 124. The method of claim 120, wherein the diverting a firstselected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactorsystem of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to a mass of at leastone heat storage material contained in a reservoir containment systemcomprises: diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portionof a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to a mass of at least one heat storage material contained in atleast one external liquid pool.
 125. (canceled)
 126. (canceled) 127.(canceled)
 128. (canceled)
 129. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: maintaining the temperature of at least one heat storagematerial of at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir above a selectedtemperature.
 130. The method of claim 129, wherein the maintaining thetemperature of at least one heat storage material of at least oneauxiliary thermal reservoir above a selected temperature comprises:maintaining the temperature of at least one heat storage material of atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir above the melting temperature ofthe at least one heat storage material.
 131. The method of claim 1,wherein the diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portionof a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, comprises:diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir, the first nuclear reactor systemof the plurality of nuclear reactor systems having at least one liquidcoolant.
 132. (canceled)
 133. (canceled)
 134. (canceled)
 135. (canceled)136. The method of claim 1, wherein the diverting a first selectedportion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of aplurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermalreservoir, comprises: diverting a first selected portion of energy froma portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclearreactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, the firstnuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systemshaving at least one pressurized gas coolant.
 137. The method of claim 1,wherein the diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portionof a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactorsystems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, comprises:diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a firstnuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to atleast one auxiliary thermal reservoir, the first nuclear reactor systemof the plurality of nuclear reactor systems having at least one mixedphase coolant.
 138. (canceled)
 139. (canceled)
 140. (canceled) 141.(canceled)
 142. (canceled)